Water debt problems have rocketed by 432% since 2006 as more consumers struggle with household expenses, a charity has revealed.
Calls to National Debtline about water debts were 32% higher in 2011 than in 2010, with the volume of calls to the charity citing problems paying water bills rising 432% since 2006.
The Money Advice Trust, which runs National Debtline, said the number of calls it received citing water debt problems rose to 16,226 last year, or 10% of all calls received, up from 3,049, which was 3% of calls received in 2006.
The charity also warned that scheduled price rises meant the problem could get worse.
Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, said: “The sobering fact is that paying water bills is becoming increasingly difficult for many households across the country, and it doesn’t seem to be a problem that will go away any time soon.
“Planned price rises will most likely make the problem even worse. While the price rises may be in line with inflation, they are not in line with any growth in earnings, meaning water bills will take up more and more of the money we bring in.”
Subscribe to Credit Today
