Thames Water considered a rise of 40% whilst its parent company is on the verge of liquidation. Southern Water requested Ofwat last October to increase its bill to consumers by 66% on top of the rise in inflation. In this month's Debt Talk podcast, Ripon Ray explored 'UK waters & our bills’. Eugenio Vaccari - Senior Lecturer from Royal Holloway, University of London , who researches sustainable restructuring procedures, explored the legal framework in which Thames Water and its parent company work and the potential challenges faced from the perspective of shareholders, government and sustainability of the water companies for the public interest. Andrew White - Senior leader for Social Policy of the C onsumer Council for Water which represents the interest of consumers in the water sector explained the impact of the rise in cost for vulnerable communities and explained that there is a genuine need to have a social tariff to support struggling consumers. He a...

In this episode, Debt Talk explores one of the most important subjects during the cost of living crisis: ‘Eat, heat or pay your rent’. Already communities are stretched in the finances are skipping meals to pay their rent or fuel. The question really is: is it sustainable? Explore this topic with Ripon Ray, a debt expert who speaks with three experts who bring experience from local communities, research and debt advice. During the cost of living crisis, financial struggles have now become epidemic in the low income communities regardless of whether if are a worker, self-employed, pensioner and with disability. Barry Duckett, a struggling pensioner explained how he was barely surviving win state pension during the pandemic is now forced to make decisions to turn off his lights due to the fear of the cost of fuel. He is hearing universal credit claimants in his council estates tenants are choosing to feed themselves instead of paying rent and fuel bills. Joe Richardson, Research Manager ...