Water bills in the South West are the country's highest

A delegation of Lib-Dem and Labour MPs met government Minister Ian Pearson on Thursday and talked about possible charge caps.

The minister was said to be sympathetic to a range of ideas, including a special charge rate for those households on low incomes.

South West Water (SWW) said that it hoped it would not have to impose big rises in future years.

Payment problems

SWW's bills are the highest in the UK, partly because of the cost of keeping the coastal region's sea water clean.

South West customers pay an average of �400 a year, compared to the national figure of �280.

But MPs say many are having difficulties paying, particularly in Cornwall.

Figures from water industry watchdog Ofwat showed that in Cornwall alone SWW issued 12,624 court summons in 2005 for non-payment - a rise of 8.6% on the previous year.

Those attending the meeting were Cornish Lib-Dem MPs Julia Goldsworthy, Dan Rogerson, Devon Lib-Dem MPs Adrian Sanders and Richard Younger-Ross, and Plymouth Labour MP Linda Gilroy.

Liberal Democrats want a cap on water bills, like elsewhere in the UK.

Falmouth Camborne MP Julia Goldsworthy said: "In Northern Ireland it's recognised that water bills should be no more than 3% of people's income.

"We're saying: 'Those principles have been established. What are you going to be able to do to help people in the South West?'"

Labour Plymouth Sutton MP Linda Gilroy added that sewage charges needed addressing.

SWW's beach improving Clean Sweep programme has cost �1.5bn

She said: "We need recognition for the high costs we have from sewage, and it may be possible to factor into a range of solutions something which helps low-income and vulnerable customers."

After the meeting, the MPs said minister accepted that there was a particular problem in the West Country.