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

To ask His Majesty's Government what directions they intend to give Ofwat to reduce or abolish standing charges, to ease the financial burden on consumers, particularly the poorest.

Ofwat and the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) wrote to water companies on 18^th October 2022 regarding water bills and requested companies to:

• show that they understand the needs of their customers and respond accordingly;
• ensure that more customers are benefiting from support measures;
• consider how they can mitigate any significant inflationary increases in customers' bills for 2023-24; and
• to set out, by 8^th December, their plans for supporting customers through current cost of living pressures.

Defra expects all companies to make sure households are aware of the support schemes available to help those struggling to pay their bills. That includes bill discount schemes such as Watersure and social tariffs, payment holidays, adjusting payment plans and getting support for customers on managing their personal finances.