United Utilities profits surge as bills climb for northwest households

United Utilities has announced a remarkable 131 per cent increase in interim profits, driven largely by a sharp rise in water bills across the northwest of England. The average annual bill in the region has increased by £112, resulting in customers now paying £598 per year compared to £486 previously.

The utility company, which serves three million households from Cheshire to the Scottish border, recorded a 21 per cent uplift in half year revenues, totalling £1.3 billion. Pre tax profit for the six months ending in September reached £325 million, up from £140 million in the same period last year. The half year dividend has been increased by 3.5 per cent to 17.88 pence per share, with shareholders set to receive more than half of the profit increase in the form of dividends.

United Utilities anticipates continued profit growth over the remainder of the financial year, forecasting annual post tax profits of £680 million on projected revenues of around £2.55 billion. Despite hitting a record high of £12.22 last month, shares closed flat at £12.01 after the results were published.

The significant rise in charges follows Ofwat’s decision to permit the company to raise prices by 32 per cent before inflation over a five year funding period commencing last April. Much of this uplift was implemented in the first year. United Utilities stated that this additional revenue would enable £9 billion of capital expenditure on civil engineering projects and provide a £525 million support package for 400000 financially vulnerable households, about one in eight, who struggle to afford higher bills.

The company’s leadership has faced scrutiny; executive bonuses remain suspended following persistent pollution problems. Chief executive Louise Beardmore, paid £840000 annually, saw £830000 in bonuses withheld last year by the regulator due to the company’s unsatisfactory environmental record. Beardmore noted a 40 per cent reduction in pollution incidents during the hot dry summer of 2025 and credited the company’s strategy to reduce storm overflows for the prevention of 10000 incidents over six months. Spending plans will support 30000 jobs, including 6000 within the company and a further 24000 across its supply chain and contractors.

United Utilities continues to operate under tight regulatory expectations amidst challenging environmental performance metrics and rising household costs, as it seeks to balance shareholder rewards, infrastructure investment, and customer support initiatives.