ANGLIAN Water is promising not to increase bills by more than inflation for the next five years.

The Huntingdon-based company said its pricing decision – which would run until 2020 – was made following a customer consultation earlier this year that highlighted bills as the biggest concern.

The idea forms part of Anglian Water’s Shaping Our Future report which also includes proposals to invest £2billion tackling leaks, introducing metering and protecting supplies.

Managing director Peter Simpson said: “We gathered the views of more than 50,000 people to help shape both our plan for 2015–2020 and beyond.

“The message came back that people don’t want to see any deterioration in the service they get, but they are worried about the cost of living.

“We can’t control inflation but feel its impact as much as our customers. So we are making a commitment that, as long as our regulator agrees, bills won’t rise by more than inflation and we won’t ask customers for any more on top of that.

“A plan which asked people to pay bills rising more than their other costs simply wouldn’t be credible.”

He added: “We realise that customers would prefer no increase in their bills at all. But the reality is we need to spend money on essential equipment and maintenance, to help prevent flooding and pollution, and of course we must cope with the challenges of a growing population and a changing climate.”

The plans also include making ‘fair profits’ as one of its key outcomes from its plan. Other outcomes include providing a resilient service, having a smaller environmental footprint and having satisfied customers.

INFORMATION: Customers can have their say on the report before final plans are submitted to Ofwat. Visit www.discoverdiscussdecide.co.uk/decide before August 18.