Households in England and Wales are being warned that their water bill could be up to £703 on average, with some regions forced to pay even more. Every home in England and Wales will see an average 26% water bills increase from April 1,

Households now have a much better idea of their bill increases from April, which will rise at a time when many other bills are also tipped to go up sharply.

Families will be unable to cope with the £123 increase to average water and sewage bills from 1 April, campaigners have warned. The rise will be confirmed on Wednesday by Water UK and will take the average water and wastewater bill from £480 to £603.