South West water bills are amongst the highest in the country

Water bills in the region are already 75% higher than the national average and are due to rise much faster than inflation over the next five years.

WaterVoice will also be holding a separate meeting with local MPs of all parties in the House of Commons.

They will discuss the rises determined by Ofwat last December.

Water and sewerage bills are a recurring nightmare for many people on low incomes Dr Noel Olsen, Watervoice

WaterVoice South West Chairman Dr Noel Olsen said: "I am delighted that the minister has agreed to the meeting, and we hope to hear government proposals that will bring social justice to the South West.

"Water and sewerage bills are a recurring nightmare for many people on low incomes, and currently no specific help is given through the tax credits and benefits system.

"The problem of high charges in the South West is long-standing, and has been the subject of legislation in the past."

Maiden speeches

The Water Charges Equalisation Act 1977 sought to equalise water charges across England and Wales, but the act was repealed around the time of water privatisation in the late 1980s.

Dr Olsen added: "Since privatisation 3% of the population of England and Wales have had to pay unaided for cleaning up 30% of the coastline.

"Domestic and business customers have also had to bear the cost of problems such as highway drainage, which should properly fall to taxpayers.

"There has to be government action on resolving this imbalance, although we are grateful to MPs of all parties who have raised the issue many times in adjournment debates, and at Question Time.