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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people in England who have been in receipt of a water utility social tariff in each of the last five years.

We expect all companies to make sure households are aware of the schemes available to help those struggling to pay their bills. In England, the water sector has both statutory (WaterSure) and voluntary measures (social tariffs) in place for households who struggle to pay for their water bills.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) provide information on the number of households in receipt of WaterSure, social tariffs and Water Direct. A detailed breakdown can be found on CCW’s website.