House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Reforms to WaterSure
09 March 2026 · 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
- Reforms to the WaterSure scheme are proposed to enhance support for vulnerable households with high essential water usage.
- The government aims to widen eligibility criteria and ensure the strongest level of protection for recipients.
- A single-occupier bill cap will be introduced, and the requirement for a medical practitioner's certificate will be removed.
Issue summary
The statement is about proposed reforms to the WaterSure affordability support scheme to enhance support for vulnerable households with high essential water usage.
Action requested
The government is proposing four key reforms to strengthen WaterSure, including widening eligibility criteria, ensuring the strongest level of protection for recipients, introducing a single-occupier bill cap, and removing the requirement for a medical practitioner’s certificate. These reforms will be brought forward through a statutory instrument.
Key facts
- WaterSure currently supports over 260,000 households, saving an average of £325 a year.
- The reforms will extend support to an additional 50,000 households receiving non-means tested disability benefit.
- Around 130,000 households are expected to save more due to the strongest level of protection.
- A new single-occupier bill cap will benefit over 50,000 individuals living alone with a disability, saving an additional £100 per year.
- The income threshold for eligibility is £25,745, the income profile of a representative Universal Credit household with a disability.