HOUSEHOLD water bills will rise by 9.9 per cent next year, Scottish Water announced today.

Despite 52 per cent of the 2.6 million homes they serve already requiring financial support with their bills, the utility firm, owned by the Scottish government, says bills will be hiked by £3.98 a month — or £44 a year — from April 1.

The board’s decision follows an 8.8 per cent hike last year.