Leicestershire’s 'disgraceful' Severn Trent Water price increase branded 'slap in the face' during cost of living crisis

Severn Trent’s price hike forecasted for 2024/25 will cost households over £27

Leicestershire’s Liberal Democrats have urged Severn Trent to scrap their 6.5% water bill increase, claiming there should be “no price rises until water firms scrap insulting overseas dividends and executive bonuses”.

The average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales will rise by 6%, or about £27 to £473 a year, from April 1, the industry has confirmed. Water bills in Leicestershire are set to be hiked by over 6.5% by Severn Trent. It means residents in Leicestershire will be paying an extra £27 a year.

The increase comes at a time when there is concern over the cost of dividends paid out to shareholders during the cost of living crisis and public outrage concerning sewage overflows into water supplies. However, Water UK has said bills are rising less than they did in the previous financial year.

At a meeting of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council last week, members voted to ask water, electricity and gas suppliers to appear before the council and explain what measures they are taking to ensure infrastructure can cope with future development in the area, following incidents of ‘raw sewage running down the street.’

Last week a ‘major incident’ was declared in Ratby when a water main burst, damaging the gas main in Main Street in the village. Since then, villagers have been living without central heating and hot running water. They have since been advised all homes should now be reconnected.

Leicestershire’s Liberal Democrats have slammed the price increase as “disgraceful.” Liberal Democrat leader of the Opposition on Leicestershire County Council Michael Mullaney said: “People in Leicestershire should not have to endure this disgraceful price hike. During a cost of living crisis, it is a slap in the face to all those in our community who now have to pay more to water companies who have for years been pumping filthy sewage into our rivers.

“This insulting price hike should be scrapped immediately. There should be no price rises until water firms scrap insulting overseas dividends and exec bonuses. What is even more scandalous is that Conservative ministers have just stood aside and let water companies walk all over their customers. There should be an immediate end to sky-high bonuses and payments going to overseas investors. Money that should instead be going straight on fixing our crumbling infrastructure.”

David Black, the boss of Ofwat, the Office of Water Services, a regulatory body supervising the operation of the water industry, said: “While water bills will vary depending on the circumstances of each household, the average increase forecasted for 2024/25 will be £27.40, equivalent to about £2.30 a month. We are very aware, for those who are already struggling, this will be a real worry. As such, water companies must do all they can to protect those who are most in need of a helping hand.

“We would encourage anyone who is worrying about how to pay a water bill to contact their water company and find out what schemes are on offer that could reduce bills, smooth payments or help with debt.”