How much Greater Manchester water bills will soar by after huge bill increase announced

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Water bills in Greater Manchester will increase by 32% over the next five years, regulator Ofwat has said. It's equivalent to an average extra of £29 per year per household - significantly higher than the expected £19 hike.

The increases will begin to kick-in from April next year. But figures released by Ofwat revealed United Utilities had hoped to increase bills by even more.

The water company had asked for a 37% rise by 2030. But, despite the average £28 a year increase figure, households will face a heavy average hike of £77 in the next year, excluding inflation, with smaller percentage increases in each of the next four years.

Across England and Wales average bill will rise by a total of £157 or 36% over the next five years. Ofwat said the increase would pay for a £104 billion upgrade of the water sector to deliver 'substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment'.