This site uses the UK Government AccessKeys system
|
|
What's new | Publications | Media centre | Price review | FAQs Update alerts | Consumer issues | Site map | Competition | Contact us |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Media centre
The project, which was commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), tested practical steps for helping low income households in the south west of England to afford their water bills. It looked at the combined effect of benefit entitlement checks, water metering and water efficiency measures. The study illustrates the potential benefits of customers switching to a meter and checking that they are taking up all the benefits they are entitled to. For example, average bills fell by nearly 50 per cent for those who switched to a meter, whilst the average amount of extra benefits claimed by eligible customers was just over £20 per week. Andrew Dunn, Director of Consumer Protection at Ofwat, said: "Affordability is a complex issue. Customers who struggle with their water bills are likely to have a difficulty meeting other financial commitments. Customers must ensure they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to, and the Government has a role to play here. "The study highlights the importance of the work that water companies are already doing in promoting the availability of free meters, and in many cases funding the work of advisors to help to customers in financial difficulties. Water companies will want to study these results to see how they can help their customers who are struggling to pay their water bills. "To help people in a vulnerable position, some companies are already piloting social tariffs which do not have an undue impact on other groups of customers – a positive approach to finding solutions to difficult issues." Notes to Editors: 1. The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is the economic regulator of water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. It exercises its powers in a way that it judges will protect the interests of consumers, promote value and safeguard future water and sewerage services by allowing efficient companies to carry out their functions properly, and finance them. 2. The south west pilot study set up by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in consultation with Ofwat, South West Water and the Consumer Council for Water. It is available on the Defra website, www.defra,gov,uk 3. Ofwat has published guidance to companies on 'Dealing with household customers in debt', which is available on the Ofwat website. 4. Media enquiries to Ofwat Press Office on: 0121 625 1442/1496/ 1322.  | ||||||
© Crown copyright |
Disclaimer & Privacy Statement |