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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rising water bills on households requiring financial assistance from water company support schemes.

Around 1 million households are projected to be in water poverty by 2030, based on water companies’ PR24 business plans. Ofwat’s June Cost of Living Report highlights affordability pressures. We expect companies to continue supporting customers struggling with bills, alongside Government action to reform the Guaranteed Standards Scheme and WaterSure.