Reduced water bills for 300,000 households

Around 300,000 low-income households are set to have their water bills reduced thanks to a reform of WaterSure.

WaterSure enables low-income households who use high amounts of water to have their water bills capped. To qualify, they must have a water meter and either a specific medical condition or three or more children living at home.

260,000 households are already part of the scheme, which is estimated to save around £325 per household.

Changes are being introduced to expand the eligibility criteria to include disability benefits, adding a further 53,000 to the scope.

Reforms will also alter the way the price cap is determined, with most of the existing recipients seeing further savings of up to £100.

These are the first changes since the scheme was introduced in 1999. Around 300,000 household are set to benefit.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: "Vulnerable households are particularly affected by cost-of-living pressures, including water bills.   

"Reforming WaterSure will make a meaningful difference to hundreds of thousands of families who need support the most.  

"These steps build on our Water White Paper that champions customers, protects the environment, restores public trust and works to secure a water system fit for the future."

Mike Keil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said: "We’re delighted the UK Government is taking forward the majority of the changes CCW recommended as part of our review of the WaterSure scheme.

"These improvements will bring peace of mind to tens of thousands more customers whose circumstances mean they have no choice but to use a significant amount of water for essential needs.

"Many households are grappling with rising water bills, and these reforms will help relieve some of that pressure through extending support to more of the most vulnerable customers and also increasing the value of that financial assistance, in many cases."