NAO: Government needs to 'get a grip'

Consumers face another 17 years of above-inflation increases in energy and water bills as households are forced to stump up for the cost of renewing Britain ageing infrastructure, says the National Audit Office (NAO).

Victoria Keilthy, director of private and third sector delivery at the NAO, believes the potential problems will cause large increases in bills.

She said: "The incomes on those earning low incomes actually have fallen by 11% in real terms.

"What we want to see is government getting a grip, getting a good understanding, and about whether they think these bills can be affordable."

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday 13 November 2013.