Meanwhile, Downing Street insisted water companies should not “disproportionately” pass on costs to consumers for upgrade works. Firms are drawing up plans to increase household water bills by up to 40%, according to The Times. Mr Hunt also confirmed that ministers were talking to the food industry about “potential measures to ease the pressure on consumers”. He is expected to back a CMA review of food prices and reportedly sees regulators playing a central role in helping curb inflation. It followed official figures last week that showed Consumer Prices Index inflation failed to ease as hoped in May, remaining at 8.7%.

Source: The Times June 28, 2023 12:55 UTC