South West Water’s £4 price increase for 2023/24

South West Water is keeping increases to its average household bill for water and wastewater services for 2023/24 well below inflation, alongside record levels of investment.

The company has announced that the average bill will be increasing by less than £5, to ensure they remain affordable during the cost-of-living crisis.

The average household bill for water and wastewater services for 2023/24 will be £476, compared to £472 last year.

South West Water’s chief customer and digital officer, Laura Flowerdew said: “We understand the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis for our customers, which is why we have worked hard to minimise any increases. We strive to help any customers who need it, and we encourage any customers who are worried about their bill to get in touch and see what additional support we can offer.”

While South West Water’s first focus is always on keeping bills low, it is also undertaking a wide range of initiatives to help customers during these challenging times. This year the company has supported customers with £68 million of benefits, providing a range of support measures for customers struggling to pay their bills and vulnerable customers, with over 79,000 customers expected to access financial support between April 2020 and April 2023.

As the largest employer in the region, South West Water can help in other ways too, having just announced plans to double its apprenticeship and graduate programmes to 1,000 by 2030, and offering 5,000 work placements for children over the same period.

By April this year 42,000 customers will have been taken out of water poverty through South West Water’s support tariffs as part of its industryleading ambition to eradicate water poverty by 2025.

Customers will also continue to benefit from the £50 Government Contribution for 2023/24.

Residents in Plymouth will need to show photographic ID to vote in person at this year’s local elections which are being held on May 4. It is the first time this has been a requirement.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a full or provisional UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass and a blue badge.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can now apply online at www.gov.uk/ apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate or by completing a paper form which is available from the council. The deadline to apply for this ID is April 25.

Anyone who wants to vote in the local elections this May, must be registered to vote by April 17. For those who aren’t already registered it only takes five minutes to register online at www.plymouth. gov.uk/voting-and-elections.

Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.

More information on registering to vote, what voter ID will be accepted or how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate is available on the Plymouth City Council website. Anyone not able to visit the council website, or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, can contact the council by calling 01752 30486 or emailing ero@plymouth. gov.uk.

Tracey Lee, returning officer for Plymouth, said:

“Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it.

“With elections taking place in Plymouth on May 4, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they are registered to vote and have an accepted form of ID. It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.”

Voters will be able to use expired ID as long as the photo remains a good enough likeness to the elector, and the name on the ID is the same name as appears on the Electoral Register.

The changes do not affect postal votes but do affect proxy voters who will be required to show their own valid ID when voting on behalf of someone else.