Consumers warned about new utilities price hike

www.moneynews.co.uk > General finance > Consumers warned about new utilities price hike

Consumers warned about new utilities price hike

Wed 1st Apr 2009

Millions of households are set to see their annual utilities bills rise further still as suppliers put up water rates.

Due to come into effect today (April 1st), the new changes will see the average water bill increase by 4.1 per cent, or £13.

As such, consumers can expect to pay £343 a year on water rates alone, taking total utilities costs - including heating and lighting - to an average of £1,595 a year, uSwitch.com has revealed.

Will Marples, home utilities expert at the website stated: "A £13 increase in water bills may not seem much, but it adds to the steady flow of money draining away from household budgets.

"Consumers will be shocked to find that they are now paying an extra £353 a year to cover the bare essentials of heating, lighting and water. At the beginning of 2008 these cost £104 a month or £1,242 a year."

He added that householders could significantly reduce their bills by installing water meters, so as to ensure they are only charged for what they actually use.

Just last month, the Environment Agency called on the government to make water meters compulsory within UK homes in order to cut back on wastage.

Click here for more general finance news

Related News : General finance
	Citizens Advice welfare applauds government
	Confused.com energy defends British Gas
	Bank of Ireland passes stress test
	Tesco Mobile deal 'courts consumers'
	Scottish Widows Investment Partnership notes favourable response
	Customers should fix now, says moneysupermarket.com energy
	Confused.com highlights importance of getting the best deal
	Prices on the rise, says moneysupermarket.com energy
	Bank of Scotland economic report 'suggests transitional phase'
	Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks security advice issued