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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Thames Water customers affected by water outages and burst water pipes receive full compensation.

The regulatory framework governing the water sector in England ensures that water customers affected by outages and burst water pipes can receive compensation if the water supply is not reconnected promptly. The Guaranteed Standards Scheme requires companies to pay customers where they fail to meet minimum service standards. For water supply not restored within 48 hours, the GSS sets a minimum payment of £20 to domestic customers and £50 to business customers. These Standards can be viewed in full at www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/supply-and-standards/standards-of-service.

Where flooding occurred, Thames Water sent loss adjusters to work with local residents and businesses to ensure they were not left out of pocket by the bursts.