 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 40% rise in Thames Water bills will push poorest Londoners into debt | |
|
Richard Thomas, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Lewisham East has reacted angrily to the 40% real terms price rise proposed by Thames Water over the next 5 years. In particular, he says, the proposed rise of 25% next year will hit those on low incomes very hard.
Thames Water propose increasing the cost of water in the Capital by 25% in real terms next year (2005/6) and by a further 12% in real terms over the following four years. This news comes in the wake of fierce criticism of Thames Water for lowering water pressures in many parts of London without warning, leaving thousands of residents of high-rise blocks without water. Lewisham East Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Lib Dem Richard Thomas said: "Both Labour and Tory governments have underinvested in London's water system for decades and now the consumer is going to be asked to pay the massive bill for putting it right over the next few years. "Price rises on this scale, without better financial support for those on low incomes, will result in thousands more Londoners being unable to afford their water bills and falling further into debt. "The fact that many of these Londoners will have suffered from a failure of their water supply in recent months due to pressure cuts adds insult to injury."
|
 |