Water companies that fail to meet basic standards will have to pay customers more in compensation, the government is proposing. New rules for what could trigger these payments, including failing to carry out meter readings or installations as promised, will also be introduced.
Some payments could amount to customers claiming at least a quarter of their annual water and sewerage bill.
The minimum payment for most failings would double to £40, the government is proposing. These new proposals follow the Water (Special Measures) Bill announced in the King’s speech last month, promised to improve water quality.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said households and businesses had been let down by water companies.
“The new Government will clean up the water industry and turn the tide on the destruction of our waterways ensuring water companies protect the interests of their customers and the environment,” he said. The list of circumstances that would trigger compensation payments will also be expanded. This is set to include automatic payments for so-called boil notices, when people are told they must boil water before drinking it or cooking with it.
The changes would mean that recent outages in Brixham and Bramley earlier this year would have automatically led to compensation for all customers, where there was no entitlement before.
Source: BBC
In other news – Angelina Jolie cut ties with father Jon Voight
Angelina Jolie is reportedly not speaking to estranged father Jon Voight. As per the latest report of In Touch Weekly, “Despite previous attempts at reconciliation, Jon’s loose lips have pushed Angie to cut off communication once more.
An insider privy to the outlet also mentioned, “He just can’t help himself. Angie has made it very clear she doesn’t want him talking about her private life — but he keeps opening his big mouth! Read more
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
