WaterSure

Emma Hardy Excerpts

Monday 9th March 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)]

I am announcing proposed reforms to the affordability support scheme WaterSure—the first significant update to the scheme since 1999. This Government are committed to a fair, affordable, and accessible water system and we are acting to protect vulnerable families from rising bills.

WaterSure provides vital support for households with essential high-water usage, whether due to a medical condition or because three or more children live at home. More than 260,000 households currently save an average of £325 a year through the scheme.

We are introducing four key reforms to strengthen WaterSure which we intend to bring forward through a statutory instrument. These reforms will extend support, and remove unnecessary barriers:

First, we are widening eligibility to households receiving non-means tested disability benefit—Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, and Attendance Allowance—where a medical condition leads to high essential water use and household income is below an income threshold of £25,745—the income profile of a representative Universal Credit household with a disability. Over 50,000 additional households could benefit.

Second, we will ensure every WaterSure customer receives the strongest level of protection available by requiring water companies to apply the best discount possible for recipients, whichever is lower between the company’s average metered bill, or overall average bill. Around 130,000 households are expected to save more as a result.

Third, we are introducing a new single-occupier bill cap to correct a historic unfairness where single disabled households with high essential water use could not benefit from the existing average-household bill cap, despite similar medical needs. Over 50,000 individuals living alone with a disability are expected to save a further £100 per year.

Finally, we are removing the option for companies to require a medical practitioner’s certificate for conditions not individually listed in regulations. All companies already accept broader evidence, such as appointment letters or prescriptions. This change ensures that applicants are not deterred by unnecessary costs.

This Government are rebuilding a water system that is fairer, more transparent and more responsive to the needs of vulnerable customers. These reforms to WaterSure are an important step in delivering our mission to put consumers first and restore trust in our essential services.

[HCWS1386]