Martin Lewis warns 'worst of both worlds' as 1 household bill rises

Martin Lewis, a consumer finance expert, has warned that consumers are facing the "worst of both worlds" as water bills are set to rise further. Five water companies – Anglian, Northumbrian, Southern, Wessex, and South East – have been provisionally allowed by the regulator Ofwat to increase their bills by an additional 1% to 5% beyond previously planned hikes. These five companies serve over seven million household and business customers. The increases come as these companies are criticized for decades of alleged mismanagement, including significant sewage discharges into rivers and seas. Despite the financial strain on consumers, these companies have accrued substantial debt while also paying out significant dividends. The chief executive of River Action highlighted that water bill payers are being made to cover the costs of failures, with millions of households facing higher bills while environmental damage continues. Water minister Emma Hardy acknowledged public anger over the rises and stated that water companies ... download the app to read more