On Tuesday it was announced that the biggest water company in the UK, Thames Water, is looking for bills to rise 53% by 2029/30, according to figures published by water regulator Ofwat.
The biggest rise - 84% - is sought by Southern Water, while of all English and Welsh water firms only one utility, is not seeking even higher bills than they first requested from the regulator in July.
These increases would take the average English household bill to at least £615 a year in five years' time compared with £439 now – a rise of just over 40%.
This is in stark contrast to Scotland, where, due to Scottish Water being publicly owned, the average charge was around 10% lower than in England and Wales at an average of £408.
Between 2010/11 and 2024/25, average charges to Scottish customers have reduced 10.3% in real terms relative to consumer price index (CPI) inflation.
Around 50% of households in Scotland receive financial support with their charges as they automatically have either a discount, exemption or reduction applied to their water and waste water charges.
Due to Scottish Water being in public hands, every penny of profit is reinvested in the public service, unlike in England, where shareholders receive millions in dividends.
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