Severn Trent is to create 1,000 new jobs in the Midlands.

The firm has also announced it will increase its existing financial support for up to 50,000 of customers who need it most.

The Midlands FTSE 100 company has confirmed that in the next two years it will:

• Support 315,000 people a year with paying their water bill, up to 50,000 of these customers will now also receive additional financial debt support

• Create 1,000 new jobs in the region, including its biggest ever intake of 130 new skilled apprenticeships

• Deliver an investment programme worth more than £2.5bn on network improvements and projects spanning the entire Midlands

Severn Trent is also set to take on 65 graduate placements and 60 summer internships, and will welcome 130 new apprentices this year, its largest ever intake.

The 1,000 new jobs builds on the company's ten year programme to help 100,000 people out of water poverty by 2032, giving people the skills and support to help find work. The programme will have also provided up to 4,800 work experience placements aimed at providing opportunities for schoolchildren living in some of the most deprived areas across its region.

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Whilst the Severn Trent bill remains the second lowest in the country, with people receiving water and wastewater service for just over £1 per day, the company recognises the financial pressures customers face, given over 48,000 people joined its affordability schemes in the last year. By 2025, Severn Trent will support 315,000 customers a year, with some receiving a reduction of up to 90%. And taking support even further, up to 50,000 of these customers will now also get help from a new Big Difference Plus scheme to receive additional debt support.

Liv Garfield, Chief Executive, Severn Trent , said: "Creating job opportunities, continuing significant regional investment, and financially supporting more customers than ever before is made possible by the strong results we have delivered this year.

"At a time when unemployment rates in our region are increasing and the cost-of-living crisis is still front and centre of many customers’ minds, we are proud to be able to create 1,000 jobs in our region over the next couple of years and to further help up to 50,000 customers with financial support. This, coupled with our long-term programme to help people into work, go towards truly supporting the communities we serve.

"This support is being delivered whilst continuing with the multibillion-pound investment in the region to improve water and waste services, providing an exceptional service and investing in our people who go above and beyond every day to make a positive impact in our region. We are expecting the biggest investment period the sector has ever seen, with a focus on water resources, improving environmental standards and on Net Zero, and we feel more than ready for this exciting opportunity ahead of us."