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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will direct Ofwat to (a) block trials of seasonal water metering and progressive water metering until 2030 and (b) not call on companies to conduct charging trials.

Since 2022, water companies have trialled alternative charging schemes, aimed at supporting affordability, and other sustainability goals. Water companies are able to run innovative charging trials under the existing charging framework, subject to Ofwat’s charging rules and requirements to ensure charges are fair to customers.