Plan ahead to keep afloat and tackle water debt
Posted: Tuesday 16th January 2007
Priority payments for credit or store cards may result in water customers not being able to put money aside for upcoming water bills, the Consumer Council for Water said today (Tuesday).
The national water watchdogis concerned that customers may feel so pressured to pay off credit cards and other bills that have accumulated, after extra spending during December, that they are unable to - or simply forget - the payment of impending water bills.
Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said: “We are concerned that people may feel the pressure of a large credit card bill, and pay off a considerable amount at once to try and reduce it quickly. This can lead to customers not putting any money aside for other bills – and their new water bill for 2007-08 may drop through the letterbox as early as next month.
“If you know that you will have trouble paying upcoming water bills, contact your water company now to discuss whether flexible payment methods can be arranged. It is important to plan ahead and consider when you will need to pay your bill to keep yourself afloat.”
She added: “For our part, the Consumer Council for Water is lobbying Government and regulators to look at ways of supporting consumers on low incomes. The lack of progress in tackling the problems of water affordability for vulnerable consumers was highlighted once again last week by the House of Lords science and technology committee.
“Everyone is acknowledging there is a problem. It is time to act.”
