3 days Ago By [email protected] (Tianna Corbin)
Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins alerted viewers that bills were anticipated to surge by at least 21 percent in the upcoming five years. Yet, during the broadcast, Richard Gaisford got updated figures directly from OFWAT. He revealed: "Well, we're just hearing from the regulator OFWAT that, on average, across England and Wales, water bills will go up over the next five years by 36 percent.
"In the Southern Water region, the predicted increase is even steeper, with a projected rise of 53 percent. That means that in this part of the world, people's bills will go up by some £222 over that five-year period, so a significant rise for so many people as we've been talking about this morning at a time when so many people can least afford it." Good Morning Britain host interrupts show for 'breaking news' announcement (Image: ITV) Read More Related Articles GMB's Richard Madeley reflects on being hit by father as he admits it 'wasn't right' Read More Related Articles Jane McDonald 'so sorry' as she 'takes over' ITV chat leaving This Morning hosts in hysterics On the topic of the newly released figures, Charlotte remarked: "That means £31 a year increasing each year over the next five years.
That's a significant amount of money, isn't it for people? In a typical household." Richard concurred with Charlotte's sentiment, highlighting the disparity between expectations and reality: He said:"It's a lot more than what anyone was expecting. We were expecting 21 percent and £20 a year, but 36 percent and £31.
That's the average!" Highlighting the startling 53 percent increase for the Southern region, Richard couldn't help but whistle loudly in disbelief. Meanwhile, Charlotte pointed out that many in the area are currently without water due to supplier complications, reports the Mirror . Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Madeley spoke about the water bill increase announcement (Image: ITV) She went on to mention: "Just to say, OFWAT has said that this increase will pay for a £104 billion upgrade of the water sector to deliver substantial lasting improvements for customers and the environment.
" The response from viewers on Twitter was swift and vocal. One individual expressed their indignation saying: "It is outrageous that bills will rise when all water companies are doing is turning it into dividends for shareholders. Water companies should not be doing this.
It should be a non profit." The director of OFWAT appeared on Good Morning Britain following the announcement (Image: ITV) Another added their thoughts: "Watching the news about the price rises for water and thought I wonder what @Feargal_Sharkey thinks about this. I am delighted I'm about to find out as he's on! ".
A further comment came from someone outraged: "what a joke these water companies are, first they can't announce the ridiculous increase correctly. Here is a idea..
.. DONT pay the executives there massive bonuses and use that money to invest.
" And another person remarked: "Water bills going up along with energy prices how they expecting people to live?" Good Morning Britain continues weekdays on ITV from 6am..
