Scots face another cost of living blow after it was confirmed water charges will go up by 4.2%.
It was confirmed yesterday that energy prices are to soar by nearly £700 due to turmoil in the market.
This hammer blow comes on top of rising prices in other areas and a looming national insurance increase for workers.
Scottish Water, which is owned by the public, is responsible for setting charges following approval by a regulator.
In a statement this morning, Scottish Government Net Zero Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson informed customers how much extra they would pay:
“We remain committed to supporting people facing issues paying their water bills. While UK-wide energy prices rise beyond inflation, in Scotland the increase to water charges for 2022-23 has been set at 4.2% – in line with inflation.
“In developing the charging principles for the industry for 2021-27, Ministers took the decision to increase the levels of support for those vulnerable customers who have the most difficulty paying. The water charges reduction scheme discount has increased from 25% to 35% – protecting thousands of eligible households from higher charges.”
However, the Government is under pressure by Scottish Labour to rethink the water bill rise.
They led a debate at Holyrood yesterday calling for the hike to be deferred – a stance the SNP/Green Government did not support.
Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “Enough is enough. I want to be very clear- the SNP have the power to do something about this and are choosing to put up bills.
“Families across Scotland are already struggling to pay their household bills. This week, people are tuning in to the news to see costs are about to spiral out of control while the SNP and Tory governments sit and do little to help.
“Scottish Water is sitting on hundreds of millions of pounds of reserves while putting up the bills. The Scottish Government must stand up for the interests of customers and cap these rising costs.
She said of the SNP: “There is an SNP/Green majority in Holyrood and the SNP have more Scottish MPs than any other party. They can no longer blame someone else for their failures. It is time for them to wake up to the realities of everyday life and stand up for the people they are supposed to represent.”
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