Suppliers such as Southern Water want to charge customers up to 91 per cent more over the next five years - but some firms will get just half of their requested increases, it has been claimed.
The Met Office expects a resurgence in really cold weather through the weekend after the mercury fell to -5C (23F) in Hampshire and -4C (25F) in Suffolk this morning.
Cold and dry spell to continue before temperatures plunge further at weekend echo-news.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from echo-news.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.