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affordability

Latest in affordability

Southern: Bill hikes require visible performance improvement
The only way to stop public anger at bill rises is through visible and sustained performance improvement in areas that matter most to customers, Southern Water has told Utility Week. It comes after the company faced a public and media backlash to leaked proposals to raise bills by as much as 73% to fund future investment needs.
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Water sector still waiting on support for single social tariff
CCW has reported on progress made in the 12 months since it published its affordability review and made a renewed call upon UK and Welsh governments to take necessary steps to implement a single social tariff ahead of the next price review period. It praised efforts made by the sector to make support more accessible but highlighted the pressures the cost of living crisis is putting on household finances.
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Affordability woes affecting more than half of homes
As the cost of living crisis bites householders across the UK, water billpayers in England and Wales have reported increased anxiety about affording their bills, with more than 61% stating they are concerned about their finances worsening this year. Research by Ofwat showed a correlation between those struggling to pay and suffering with poor wellbeing including depression.
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Leakage and wastewater emissions focus for innovation winners
Welsh Water, Northumbrian, Severn Trent, Anglian and Southern are among the winners of innovation funding from Ofwat's Breakthrough Challenge, to develop and implement schemes that address common water sector challenges, including leakage and driving down harmful emissions from wastewater treatment.
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Energy crisis magnifies need for single water tariff
A single social tariff for financially vulnerable water customers is “even more important” in the context of a wider cost of living crisis, CCW has said. The consumer body is currently working with Defra and the Welsh government to establish how to implement a scheme and what it will look like, with the aim of having it in place for the start of the next price review period in 2025.
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CCW lays out ambitions for 2022
The water watchdog has set out its strategy for 2022-23 that includes working towards long term goals of eradicating water poverty and raising satisfaction among business customers. CCW said its work will include coordinating a campaign to raise the value of water in society and help people understand how their own consumption impacts the water environment.
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Survey highlights ‘extreme coping strategies’ to keep up with water bills
A new survey from National Energy Action (NEA) has highlighted the “extreme coping strategies” some low-income households are willing to adopt to keep up with their water bills.  The poll of 4,000 households conducted by YouGov found 41% of the more than 800 respondents with an annual income of less than £20,000 have, or would, wash less to lower their water bill.
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One-third of homes financially worse off this year
Ofwat has published its survey on consumer finances during the pandemic, showing a decline in mental health correlated with those financially struggling. It found more households were worse off in the past year than previously and many anticipated that to continue in the coming 12 months
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Ofwat warns of low awareness of financial support
People struggling with utility bills are three times more likely to pay by credit card than ask for help, research commissioned by Ofwat has shown. The report into financial support suggests many households are unaware of assistance offered by water companies.
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CCW calls for single social tariff
Following an independent review of available financial support for water customers, CCW has proposed a single social tariff for all households struggling to pay their water bills to eliminate the current "postcode lottery" of support. Emma Clancy, CEO of CCW talks to Utility Week about the recommendations
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Ofwat consults on the water sector of the future to inform PR24
With the water sector less than a year into enacting PR19 business plans, Ofwat has reached out to stakeholders for input on the framework for the next price review. It asks what the sector should look like by 2040 and how to get there considering climate change, investment, affordability and resilience.
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Government orders review into water affordability
CCW has been tasked with carrying out an independent review of the financial support offered by different water companies across England and Wales, to identify ways to better support households that are struggling financially
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