Campaigners in England and Wales fear rising bills will make water unaffordable and that companies should step up support

Water companies should spend more on helping vulnerable customers, according to consumer groups, as households in England and Wales brace for steep bill increases to be announced this week.

The water regulator, Ofwat, is due to reveal on Thursday how much water bills will rise over the five years from next April. The industry is asking for permission to charge billions of pounds more to pay for upgrades but also to recoup financial returns for its investors.