Wednesday, 16 October 2013

Ofwat plans to block Thames Water’s price rise

Ofwat, the water regulator, says it plans to block Thames Water's request to increase customer bills by up to 8% next year.

The regulator has published a draft decision blocking Thames Water's request for the interim increase.

Thames had asked to add an extra £29 to the annual average household bill.

Well done Ofwat for intervening and proposing to block a ridiculous price hike by Thames Water, the only question this has thrown up is why aren’t Ofgem doing exactly the same with the energy companies.

Why haven’t Ofgem contacted the big six energy suppliers and told them if you attempt to raise your prices by 6%, 7%, 8% we’ll stop you, because it’s essentially daylight robbery.  

I admit I wasn’t sure what kind of powers the regulators like Ofwat had when it came to things like this, I thought they could merely plea to water suppliers not to raise their prices and then the water suppliers would simply acknowledge the request, ignore them and raise their prices anyway.  


But now realising that they have the power to do things like this I think it’s time a few other regulators used them, hint hint Ofgem hint hint. 

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