WATER bill hikes in the Colchester area have been branded unjust and unfair during the cost-of-living crisis.

The Liberal Democrats have slammed the price rises as disgraceful, with residents in the Anglian Water area being hit with an increase of more than 8%.

Figures show an average annual water and sewage bill will increase from £489 last year to £529 in 2024/25 – with the average national rise being just over 6%. Companies like Severn Trent and Welsh Water have actually managed to reduce their customers’ bills.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Colchester, Martin Goss, said: “Anglian Water customers should not have to endure this disgraceful price hike. During a cost-of-living crisis, it is a slap in the face to all those in our community who now have to pay more to water companies who have for years been pumping filthy sewage into our rivers.

“This insulting price hike should be scrapped immediately. There should be no price rises until water firms scrap insulting overseas dividends and exec bonuses.

“What is even more scandalous is that Conservative ministers have just stood aside and let water companies walk all over their customers. The companies should be digging into their own pockets for once and not force these additional costs onto customers.

“There should be an immediate end to sky-high bonuses and payments going to overseas investors. Money that should instead be going straight on fixing our crumbling infrastructure.”

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