Scottish Water’s service charges will be frozen for the fourth year running in 2012/2013.
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “This freeze in charges in 2012/2013 means that we continue to be among the lowest in the UK while at the same time improving our service to customers, tackling leakage and delivering the investment Scotland needs, giving consumers real value for money.
“In this five-year regulatory period we are investing £2.5bn in projects across Scotland, working in communities from Stranraer to Shetland to play our part in improving the quality of life in villages, cities and the countryside.”
At the present time, the average water charge for households across Scotland in 2011/12 continues be among the lowest in the UK. The average household charge in Scotland (£324 – the same level it was in 2009-10) continues to be less than the average household bill in England and Wales (£356) and lower than the average for most of the companies in England.
Combined water charges in England and Wales are set at around an average inflationary increase of 4.6% (£16).
Watchdog Consumer Focus Scotland described the announcement as “good news”.
Trisha McAuley, deputy director at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “It is good news that water charges are not going up. Households budgets are under a lot of pressure with the high cost of basic items such as energy and food so consumers need to see value for money from their public services and will expect the same from Scottish Water.”
Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil said: “Scottish Water is performing well as a public sector organisation. Its decision to freeze charges represents excellent news for customers at a time when households across Scotland are confronted by an increased cost of living.”