Environment Secretary Owen Paterson Urges Water Companies Not To Increase Bills

'Dear Water Companies, Please Don't Increase Your Bills"
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson leaves Downing Street following a Cabinet meeting on October 18, 2010 in London, England. Bosses of 35 of the UK's largest companies have expressed their support for the Government's spending cuts which Chancellor George Osborne will announce in the Comprehensive Spending Review on October 20, 2010. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson leaves Downing Street following a Cabinet meeting on October 18, 2010 in London, England. Bosses of 35 of the UK's largest companies have expressed their support for the Government's spending cuts which Chancellor George Osborne will announce in the Comprehensive Spending Review on October 20, 2010. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
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Owen Paterson has written to water company chiefs urging them not to add huge inflation-busting increases to their bills.

The Environment Secretary told water firms in his letter that it was "crucial" to keep bills affordable. Households are bracing themselves for a 3.5% rise in water bills next year, which would leave them paying £388 more from April 2013 to March 2014.

Rising energy prices have also caused controversy over the last few weeks, with Ed Miliband warning today that ordinary Britons have been suffering in a "cost of living crisis".

Paterson urged water firms to introduce "social tariffs" for vulnerable customers, adding: “We know household budgets are under pressure and keeping water bills affordable is a crucial way we can help hardworking people.

“That is why we are pressing hard to make sure customers get a fair deal by encouraging water companies to look closely at any price increases.”

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