90,000 households to get automatic discount on bills this year as millions face rises

TENS of thousands of households will see an essential bill automatically discounted this year as millions face hikes. Around 90,000 Yorkshire Water customers will get the discount off their 2025/26 bill. The help comes via the firm's WaterSupport scheme which is open to those on low incomes. The average water bill for households in Yorkshire is rising by £135 over the next financial year, but not those on the scheme.

Of the 90,000 signed up to the social tariff, 60,000 will see their bills in fact reduced compared to this year. Bills are rising for other customers across Yorkshire to fund an £8.3billion investment programme over the next five years. Over the next 12 months, 250km of water mains will be replaced and £129million is being pumped into reducing storm overflows. Yorkshire Water is also rebuilding three reservoirs and building two new ones to increase the supply of water across its network.

Angie Markham-Nock, affordability strategy manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “The next five years are really important for us, for the environment, and for our customers, as we deliver an £8.3bn investment programme to help us meet expectations and regulatory requirements. “We know that some of our customers are struggling with their bills, and will find increases to bills unmanageable, and this is why we’ve built additional financial support into our plans.".

Anyone eligible for the WaterSupport scheme will receive the discount on their water bill automatically and doesn't need to apply. If you haven't yet applied and are on a low income, you can via www.yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/help-paying-your-bill. You can also call 0345 1399 299 if you don't have access to the internet. You might be eligible for WaterSupport if you live in a household with an income below £19,000 with an annual water bill over £364.

Yorkshire Water said it could not provide a figure for how much of a discount WaterSupport customers will get on their bills next financial year as it is applied based on individual household's circumstances. Water bills across England and Wales will rise by an average of £31 per year between 2025 and 2030. This comes following a price review by the regulator Ofwat which set a limit on the amount water companies could charge customers.

Ofwat says the increases will pay for a £104billion upgrade of the water sector to deliver "substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment". However, how much your water bill will rise depends on where you live as firms can hike prices individually. United Utilities, which serves customers in Manchester and Liverpool, will see their bill rise by £143 over the next five years.

The average bill for customers is currently £442 but this will now rise to £585. Meanwhile, South West Water, which covers areas such as Devon and Cornwall will see their bill increase by £113 over the next five years, from £497 currently to £610. The firm is run by Pennon, which also bought Sutton and East Surrey Water, but customers here will see their bills reduced by 3% over the next five years.

Currently locals in this area pay £221 but this will reduce to £215 come 2030. You should be able to find how much your water bills are due to rise by going on your firm's website. IT'S always worth checking if you qualify for a discount or extra support to help pay your water bill. Over two million households who qualify to be on discounted social water tariffs aren't claiming the savings provided, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).

Only 1.3million households are currently issued with a social water tariff - up 19% from the previous year. And the average household qualifying for the discounted water rates can slash their bills by £160 a year. Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you're on a low income and the CCW is calling on customers to take advantage before bills rise in April.

Who's eligible for help and the level of support offered varies depending on your water company. Most suppliers also have a pot of money to dish out to thousands of customers who are under pressure from rising costs - and you don't have to pay it back. These grants can be worth hundreds of pounds offering a vital lifeline when faced with daunting water bills. The exact amount you can get depends on where you live and your supplier, as well as your individual circumstances.

Many billpayers across the country could also get help paying off water debts through a little-known scheme and even get the balance written off. Companies match the payments eligible customers make against the debt on their account to help clear it sooner. If you're on a water meter but find it hard to save water as you have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, you may be able to cap your bills through the WaterSure scheme.