Trust in water companies to deliver a range of activities may slowly be recovering, according to the latest cost of living report from Ofwat.

Almost 600 delegates joined a Vulnerability Summit on Tuesday in person and online, that drew together leaders from the utilities sector, consumer groups, charities, trade representatives, financial services and government.

Ofwat has published its latest cost of living report on water customers’ experiences in England and Wales– the fifth in a series which focuses on how bill payers are managing financially and the extent to which they are struggling with daily costs.

Anglian Water has announced a £70 million package of customer support throughout 2024 for those struggling with the cost of living. The utility said the package will help an estimated 380,000 customers over the next year.

Yorkshire Water is trialling a new partnership to improve the support it offers to people in Yorkshire who may be struggling financially.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has confirmed that its bills for the coming year are set to fall and are also reminding customers of the help it has available as the cost of living crisis continues.

Aptumo is highlighting the findings of its affordability research which show unclear communications and a lack of understanding of water bills are causing almost one in six (14%) bill payers to delay payment to their water provider.

Ofwat has today set out clear minimum standards for water companies to ensure that those customers who need extra help are provided with the level of service they require.

Northumbrian Water is urging people to open up about their finances during Talk Money Week (6 – 10 November) and to let the firm know if they’re worried about paying their water bill.

Affinity Water, the UK’s largest only water company, will be the first water company in England to trial a new-approach tariff for how customers are charged based on how much water they use.