-
Customer support must drive CMA decisions
As the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) prepares to make final decisions over four water companies’ future plans, the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) warns that customers must not lose out on the service levels and investment they value most. Steve Hobbs, Senior Policy Manager at CCW, explains. Four water companies in England – Northumbrian … Continued
-
5 things we learned from Ofwat’s initial verdict on company plans
It’s often said that good things come to those who wait. Try telling that to the four water companies that were sent back to the drawing board when Ofwat delivered its initial verdict on the industry’s business plans for 2020-25 at the end of last month.
-
PR19: Are bill-payers in for a shock?
Claims that water bills could reduce by an average of 4% in 2020-25 may not be all they seem, with added extras creating an uncertain future for bill-payers. James Mackenzie, Policy Manager at the Consumer Council for Water, explains. Last autumn, water companies across England and Wales published their initial business plans for 2020-25, which … Continued
-
PR19: Water companies can still do more on affordability
In their business plans for 2020-25, water companies have certainly shown more ambition in improving their current offerings in the area of affordability. But do the proposals go far enough? Gemma Domican, Policy Manager at the Consumer Council for Water, shares the top three ways companies can do more. Over the past few years, CCWater … Continued
-
Business plans must address customer priorities
The submission of business plans for 2020-25 is a prime opportunity for water companies to show they’re listening to the issues customers care about, writes Steven Hobbs, Senior Policy Manager at the Consumer Council for Water. On 3 September, water companies in England and Wales will submit their business plans for the 2020-25 period, giving … Continued
-
Time for customers to have their say on future water bills
As water companies prepare to submit their business plans to Ofwat – demonstrating what they’ll be doing for customers in 2020-25 – Steven Hobbs, Senior Policy Manager at the Consumer Council for Water, explains why customer acceptability testing should lie at the heart of this process. With the 3 September deadline for business plan submission … Continued