It turns out that, in fact, that the rise is a relatively small one, with Band D (a middle band) households experiencing a rise of an average of £11 a year.
It also emerges that this rise of 2.7% (under inflation) is the first one for four years. At less than a pound a month; a sum of around 20p a week (over four years), this is not bad.
But of course, water is a commodity that is in the hands of the Scottish Government and blame for any rise can be laid firmly at the door of the SNP (cue maniacal laughter!).
So clearly the Scotsman wants to make the most of the story so they point out that the executive of Scottish Water are "among the" highest paid in the public sector, which doesn't really mean anything.
Richard erm Baker, the Labour spokesperson on infrastructure said: “Scottish families will be dismayed by this increase which comes on the heels of gas and electricity price rises, making it even more difficult for hard-working families to make ends meet."
Richard, get a bloody grip. It's 20p a week for the middle band. Poor people won't even pay that!!! Incidentlly, it also makes it difficult for pensioners, and people who have been put out of work, students and, I suppose, lazy working families.
He went on: “There is a strong argument that this increase has come in response to the SNP cutting the budget for Scottish Water. Each small increase in costs combine to create a real and painful squeeze for families which makes for a very unhappy start to 2013 for tens of thousands of Scots.”
I really don't want to downplay it, Dick (I can call you dick, can't I? It's just that the name suits you so well) but I have to say I am FAR more concerned about the increase in gas and electricity, food and transport costs than I am in a 20p increase per week in water. At least I can still use as much or as little as I want for that money.
Of course the Tory spokesman complained that although the increase wasn't as much as the privatised companies in England, it had to be remembered that this increase came on top of a significant payment from the Scottish Government. Not enough subsidy, too much subsidy... Can't please the unionists, can you?
It was interesting to see that a correspondent on the Scotsman, posted the following::
Headline in October 11th, 2012, edition of BBC News England:
"Thames Water Bills To Rise To Pay For Thames Super Sewer.""Thames Water customers have been warned that their bills are likely to rise by as much £80 a year to help pay for a £4.1 billion super sewer in London."
(Source: BBC News England website)
So, it could be worse. We could be living in England.
