Regulator agrees to increase amount firms can charge so they can fund fixing leaky pipes and cut pollution

Households in England and Wales will see their water bills rise by an average of £31 over the next five years, as suppliers pay to fix leaky pipes and cut pollution.

The industry regulator, Ofwat, said on Thursday it would allow companies to raise average bills will rise by £157 each year to an average of £597 by 2030 to help pay for investment.