Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and Karl Turner

Thursday 21st November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

2. What plans he has to tackle the effect of rising water bills on the cost of living.

[Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)]

7. What plans he has to tackle the effect of rising water bills on the cost of living.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson)]

Ofwat estimates that, from 2015, pressure on bills could be reduced by £120 million to £750 million annually. I have written to water companies to call on them to consider the pressure on household incomes when making future bill decisions and, in particular, to consider whether they need to apply the full price increases next year allowed for in the 2009 price review. The Government encourage water companies to introduce social tariffs for vulnerable consumers and to reduce bad debt.