United Utilities pledges ongoing support for the North West

United Utilities pledges ongoing support for the North West as it marks the end of successful £3.9bn investment programme

Water firm United Utilities has improved services for customers and the environment in its native North West while doing its bit to limit COVID-19 hardship on local communities.

In its full year results, released today (May 22), the Warrington-based firm revealed it has:
• Completed its latest 5-year £3.9bn investment in its water and wastewater networks which serve seven million people across the North West;
• Outperformed its leakage target, with a pledge to cut leakage by another 15 per cent by 2025 (14th consecutive year of meeting leakage target)
• Continued to drive down customer complaints to historically low levels;
• Used £100m of efficiency savings to begin work early on its next five-year programme of investment.

The company, which serves some of England’s most deprived areas, employs over 5,000 people and supports thousands more jobs in its supply chain, also re-stated its determination to support colleagues and customers through the current coronavirus crisis.

So far, United Utilities has:
• Pledged not to furlough staff, 80 per cent of whom are key workers;
• Promised a seven per cent real terms reduction in this year’s water bills, which, after excluding inflation, are already 10 per cent lower in than they were in 2010;
• Expanded the use of its industry-leading range of affordability schemes, such as payment breaks, to support customers struggling to pay their water bill;
• Made £3.5 million available immediately to those most in need, with £71 million committed to help customers over the next five years;
• Doubled the number of customers eligible for reduced tariffs and increased the number of vulnerable customers receiving help to 120,000;
• Accelerated payments to support businesses in its supply chain, and their staff;
• Provided help to more customers who have medical conditions, disabilities or other needs through its Priority Services Register.

Chief Executive, Steve Mogford paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of United Utilities staff during the pandemic crisis and pledged the company would play its part in helping the North West get back on its feet.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for our country. At United Utilities, we have focused relentlessly on supporting customers and colleagues through these difficult times. We offer the sector’s widest range of assistance schemes to help those struggling to pay their bills and have increased the number of customers eligible for reduced tariffs. We have also made £3.5 million available immediately to those most in need, with £71 million committed to help customers over the next five years.

“None of this would be possible without the incredible team at United Utilities. I want to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of my colleagues through this challenging period, including the many key workers who have continued to carry out essential repairs and maintenance in our communities.

“United Utilities will continue to prioritise our next five-year investment programme and we fully intend to play our part in the recovery of the North West economy,” he said.