The biggest water company in the UK, Thames Water, is now looking for bills to rise 53% and cost £667 a year by 2029/30, according to figures published by water regulator Ofwat. It would make them the most expensive water bills in the country. The biggest rise - 84% - is sought by Southern Water. Of all eleven English and Welsh water and wastewater firms only one utility, Wessex Water, is not seeking even higher bills than they first requested from the regulator in July.
Ofwat will make its final decision for how much water bills can rise on 19 December. Its interim decision, made in July, said the average bill could rise 21% a year. On average the companies want bills to rise 40% and cost £615 a year by 2030, compared to the current average bill of £439 a year. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.