Businesses unprepared for water deregulation
29th November 2016 | Water
English small businesses are unprepared for Water Deregulation, which will take place in April 2017. A new research study Utilitywise, an independent utility management consultancy, says that most businesses are unaware and unprepared for the Water Deregulation.
The survey highlights a lack of knowledge about Water Deregulation with only one in four businesses feeling “informed” about how upcoming water legislation will affect their business. Smaller businesses felt particularly uninformed about Water Deregulation, with just 20 per cent of them feeling “informed” about the issue.
Only one in three English businesses believe their business has access to enough information on the impacts of Water Deregulation. However, of those who feel they are informed about it, 59 per cent say they are likely to switch compared to 49 per cent of unaware businesses.
Many English businesses are unaware of the potential benefits that Water Deregulation could bring. Just four in ten think that customer service will be better. Only half say value for money will be better. However, there could be significant savings for water and sewerage services available to those eligible companies.
Water Deregulation has been in place in Scotland since 2008. From April 2017, more than 1.2 million eligible businesses and other non-household customers in England will be able to choose their water supplier.
Brendan Flattery, CEO of Utilitywise, says the results show worrying lack of awareness among SMEs, and a lack of belief that deregulation will deliver better value for money to their businesses.
He adds, “From next year in England, all companies – small family businesses as well as large companies – will be able to benefit from deregulation by shopping around for the cheapest deal in a similar way to finding an energy provider.
“We’re calling for greater education about water market deregulation to ensure that businesses of all sizes don’t miss out.”
More information available on the website below
http://www.investinuk.net/news/english-small-businesses-are-unprepared-water-deregulation