WIRRAL West MP Margaret Greenwood has urged constituents who are struggling with water bills to make use of support that may be available from United Utilities.

The organisation has a number of schemes for people in financial difficulty and struggling to make payments.

For those customers either transitioning to or applying for Universal Credit, United Utilities can delay their water bill payments for up to eight weeks while they wait for their first Universal Credit payment to arrive.

There is also support for customers who are in receipt of other benefits and are behind with their water bill payments, customers who receive Pension Credit and are struggling to make payments, and customers who are simply behind with their bills and finding it hard to clear their debts.

Ms Greenwood, who is Shadow Minister for Employment and Inequalities, said: "Whether United Utilities customers are applying for Universal Credit, in receipt of other benefits, or simply behind with their bills, they may be able to benefit from the help that is available.

"I would urge anyone who thinks that they may be eligible for help to contact United Utilities right away.

"It is important that people get the support that they are entitled to.”

Customers struggling with their bills can call the United Utilities Affordability Team for free on 0800 072 6765.

Michelle Atkinson, head of income at United Utilities, said: "We can often agree a package of support with the customer there and then over the phone to make their bills more affordable.

"Customers in serious financial difficulty can also be referred to the United Utilities Trust Fund which can provide one-off payments to help clear their debts and give them the fresh start they need.

"We're glad to say that our package of support is currently helping 90,000 customers and we're directly contributing more than £25million, giving them the helping hand they need to get out of debt."