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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of financial support for people paying increased water bills in the South West.

For too long, sewage systems were allowed to deteriorate. The previous Government allowed water companies to divert customers' money to unjustified bonuses and shareholder payouts rather than fixing our water and sewage systems. Now, to fix this mess we need to invest in our aging infrastructure and deliver clean water. That has meant that bills have had to rise across the country.

Ofwat, as the independent regulator, is responsible for ensuring the prices water companies charge their customers are fair. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the Government's commitment to deliver for customers by driving meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector.

We will always protect the most vulnerable and this Government expects water companies to put robust support in place for customers that are struggling to pay their bills to address water poverty. All companies have measures in place for people who struggle to pay their bills, including WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks, and debt management support. We are also continuing to explore what more can be done to support families at risk of being unable to pay future water bills.