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UK Faces Rising Water Bills, Bank Closures, and Pension Concerns Amidst Tech Developments and Scandal Fallout
The United Kingdom is grappling with a series of economic and technological developments, including rising water bills, bank branch closures, renewed debate over state pension changes, and advancements in driverless car technology. These issues are unfolding against the backdrop of ongoing scrutiny of Fujitsu's role in the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Water bills in England and Wales are set to increase by an average of £2.70 per month starting in April, according to reports. This translates to an average annual bill of £639, a £33 increase from the previous year. Water UK, the industry trade body, stated that the increases are necessary to fund vital upgrades to the system and address spillages. The rise has prompted calls for a stronger safety net for those unable to pay, as the size of the increase varies widely across different regions, with some suppliers raising prices by as much as 13%.
Meanwhile, Santander announced it would close 44 branches, putting 291 jobs at risk. This move reflects a broader trend among high street banks as customers increasingly shift to online banking. Santander stated that 96% of its transactions are now conducted digitally. Last year, the bank announced plans to close 95 branches, a quarter of its total, affecting 750 workers. Lloyds Bank is also planning to shut more than 100 branches by March, under a scheme announced last year. Ministers have previously criticized bank branch closures, arguing that they restrict access to cash for elderly and vulnerable people.
In other news, ministers have rejected calls for compensation for women affected by changes to the state pension age. The government reconsidered the case after a new document came to light, but concluded that no compensation should be paid. Campaigners, including the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group, argue that 3.6 million women born in the 1950s were not properly informed of the rise in their state pension age, which brought it into line with men. Angela Madden, who leads the Waspi campaign, said the decision demonstrated "utter contempt" for those affected.
On the technology front, Waymo, the US driverless car firm owned by Google-parent Alphabet, hopes to launch a robotaxi service in London as early as September. The UK government has stated its intention to change regulations in the second half of 2026 to enable driverless taxis, but has not provided a specific date. A pilot service is expected to launch in April. Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said the government is "supporting Waymo and other operators through our passenger pilots, and pro-innovation regulations to make self-driving cars a reality on British roads."
Finally, Paul Patterson, the European chief executive of Fujitsu, the company behind the Post Office Horizon IT system, is set to step down in March. Patterson, 60, will become non-executive chairman of Fujitsu's UK business, where he will "continue managing the company's response" to the inquiry into the Horizon scandal. The announcement is part of a long-planned transition, and Patterson is expected to remain with the company until the inquiry process is complete. He has played a prominent role in Fujitsu's response to the scandal, representing the company at the public inquiry and at House of Commons select committee hearings.
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