6 December 2006
The Consumer Council for Water has called for water suppliers to prove that their customers are getting value for money after United Utilities announced profits of £282 million following price rises for consumers in the north-west of England.
United Utilities provides water for seven million customers, including 2.2 million domestic consumers and recently announced that its increase in prices had helped it to meet its leakage targets for the first time in four years.
Andrea Cook, chairman of Consumer Council Water in the north-west, told the Guardian: "Customers have seen above inflation increases in their water and sewerage bills over recent years while shareholders are receiving growing dividends."
She added that the industry "has a lot of ground to make up if it is to regain consumer confidence", which in her view could only be realised through sustained improvements.
Also raising concern this week was the news that United Utilities was to sell off its customer call centre arm, Vertex, because according to Philip Green, chief executive of United Utilities, it only accounted for 5% of the company's revenues.
Despite this, Mr Green assured consumers: "We are now steadily improving efficiency, reliability and customer experience."
However, consumers will have to wait and see whether the removal of the customer services will affect the quality of their product.
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