UK water bills to jump by 7.5%, up to 448 pounds

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Water bills are expected to witness a 7.5% increase, which amounts to an increase from 31 pounds ($38) to 448 pounds as of April 1 in households in Wales and England.

The Water UK industry body said on Thursday that this poses the highest jump in nearly 20 years, adding: "Average yearly water and sewerage bills in England and Wales are forecast to rise by £31 (7.5%) to £448 in the forthcoming year, below inflation (November CPIH inflation, which regulators set as the benchmark, was 9.3%). Water bills remain lower, in real terms, than they were a decade ago." 

On the other hand, Water UK policy director Stuart Colville expressed that the increase would still be "unwelcome, particularly at the moment" even though the increase would still fall below the current inflation rate. He added that concerns should be forwarded to water companies and reminded them that "water companies will never cut anyone off or make them use a prepayment meter."

Read next: UK asks EU for emergency aid, extra power, to avoid blackouts

The UK has suffered one of the worst inflation consequences, with major union strikes, price increases, and bill hikes. 

According to a new survey, Britain's reliance on government benefits has hit an all-time high, with more than half of households receiving more from the government than they pay in taxes.

Britain on the verge of famine 

Civitas research of Office of National Statistics (ONS) statistics from 2020/21 revealed that a record 54.2% of persons – or 36 million people – now live in households that received more in benefits – most notably non-cash benefits such as NHS and education services – than they paid in taxes.

It had been steadily declining since 2011, from 52.5% in 2011 to 47.5% in 2019/20, but surged during the epidemic due to additional aid.

According to new data, millions of #Britons are forced now to skip meals as a result of the ongoing #economiccrisis, with some families going through a whole day without eating a meal.#UnitedKingdom pic.twitter.com/4csjBhaMoU

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 19, 2022

Due to the long-term inflationary consequences of the pandemic and turmoil in Ukraine, the UK will, according to a Financial Times report, experience one of the longest recessions and the worst recoveries among G7 economies throughout 2023.

The FT report cited renowned economists who stated that the UK would face a longer-than-most "inflationary shock" period. As such, the government will be forced to conduct a strict fiscal policy throughout the year.