SPOUT OF ORDER

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Feb 22, 2009 | by STEPHEN HAYWARD

BRITAIN'S biggest water firms are set to make more than pounds 1billion this year - on the back of inflation busting bill rises.

The record-breaking profits will be announced in the summer by United Utilities, Severn Trent, Northumbrian and South West Water, which between them have nearly 19million customers.

The expected figures emerged days after the industry was allowed to raise prices by an average 4.1 per cent, leaving the typical household paying pounds 342 a year from April.

Unions condemned the profits as "disgraceful" and said companies should be forced to hand them back to customers in the form of lower charges.

United Utilities, with one of the biggest price hikes of 5.3 per cent, are due to unveil profits of almost pounds 500million.

And Severn Trent, which has raised prices by five per cent, is set to make pounds 266million profits, up from pounds 192m last year.

South West, the UK's most expensive supplier with average annual bills of pounds 489, is on course for pounds 156m profits.

Dave Prentis, of public services union Unison, slammed the rises.

"It's a disgrace that water companies who are making millions in profits are still coming to their customers for more money," he said.

"This will do nothing to help workers losing their jobs and families coping with higher bills."

Suppliers say the higher bills are needed to raise funds to upgrade networks, control leaks and pay for environmental improvements.

United Utilities:

Chief Exec:

Philip Green, 54

Salary: pounds 726k

Bonus: pounds 655K

Severn Trent:

Chief Exec: Tony

Wray, 46

Salary: pounds 349k

Bonus: pounds 152k

South West:

Chief Exec: Chris

Loughlin, 55

Salary: pounds 275k

Bonus: pounds 117k

Northumbrian

Water:

Chief Exec: John

Cuthbert, 55

Salary: pounds 270k

Bonus: pounds 127k