More than seven million United Utilities customers across north-west England will see their water bills jump in April. The hike is part of a business plan agreed with regulator Ofwat to raise bills by an average of 32% over the next five years to fund investment in infrastructure to clean up dirty rivers.

United Utilities has confirmed household bills will rise by 32 per cent over the coming five years. The water company, which supplies Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and most of Cheshire,

Water company United Utilities said it will raise dividends to shareholders as the company confirmed consumer bill increases of 32% over the coming five years.