House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Statement on Water
06 November 2024 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Proposed by Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The taxpayer-funded rebate for South West Water household customers will end on March 31, 2025.
- The government projects South West Water bills to be comparable to other regions by the next Price Review period.
- Existing measures such as WaterSure, social tariffs, and debt management will continue to support vulnerable customers.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the end of a taxpayer-funded rebate for South West Water (SWW) household customers after March 31, 2025.
Action requested
The government will terminate the rebate as SWW's water bills are projected to be similar to those in other regions by the next Price Review period and there has been a decrease in the difference between water bills over the past decade. The statement also commits to addressing water poverty and supporting vulnerable customers through existing measures like WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks, holidays, and debt management.
Key facts
- Taxpayer-funded contribution for SWW household customers will end after March 31, 2025.
- Rebate was introduced in 2013 due to higher water bills in the South West region.
- Over the last decade, differences between water bills in the South West and other regions have decreased.
- Ofwat projects SWW customers will have similar bills as others by 2025-2029 Price Review period.
- WaterSure and social tariffs are measures available for vulnerable customers.