Summer heatwave boosts Severn Trent

Utility giant Severn Trent courted further controversy over water bill hikes today as it posted a rise in half-year earnings and confirmed a 6% increase in dividend payouts for shareholders.

The group, which supplies 4.2 million households and businesses across the Midlands and parts of Wales, reported a 0.4% increase in underlying earnings to £266.9 million for the six months to September 30 as water usage soared during the summer heatwave.%VIRTUAL-SkimlinksPromo%