Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the affordability of water bills in Wigan constituency.

The Government is committed to a water sector that delivers for customers, the environment and wider society. We recognise that some households may struggle to pay their water bill in full.

Ofwat assesses affordability for each water company through a five-yearly Price Review process, in which water companies must set out how they will address affordability for households that are struggling to pay their bills in their business plans. The next period for this process is 2025-30, with the determinations of Price Review 2024 currently underway.

The appointed water provider in Wigan, United Utilities, provides help for customers who struggle to pay their bills through measures such as WaterSure, Social Tariffs, payment breaks and debt management support. We expect all companies to ensure households are aware of the support schemes available to them.