RESIDENTS have been pushed to have their say in changes to how they pay their water bills.

United Utilities wants customers with a Blackburn postcode to tell the company what they think about their new 25 year strategy for the region which will focus on providing support to those who are struggling to pay their bills.

It has already launched a pilot programme called the Support Tariff plan for the town’s residents to allow them to pay amounts dependent on the amount of benefits they receive rather than according to how much water they use.

Around 800,000 people in Lancashire receive welfare benefits to help them pay for daily essentials.

People have until June 30 to send in their suggestions and thoughts on the company’s proposed strategy which aims to address changing social and economic demands in the region.

Gary Dixon, United Utilities’ domestic retail director, said: “We believe in doing our bit to support disadvantaged customers and hopefully this new scheme will help those on the lowest incomes during times of real hardship.”

“One of the strategy’s key priorities is to ensure that no-one suffers the stress and indignity of water poverty by finding new ways to support customers on the lowest incomes.

“We’ll carefully monitor how the pilot scheme in Lancashire progresses, and assess how and when the new tariff might be rolled out across the North West.”

To download a copy of United Utilities 25 year consultation document, visit corporate.unitedutilities.com/future.

Responses can be sent via email to myview@uuplc.co.uk or by post to Planning for the Future, United Utilities, Haweswater House, Lingley Mere Business Park, Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP.