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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure a (a) secure and (b) affordable water supply for households.

The Government is committed to a twin track approach to improving water supply resilience. This involves action to reduce water company leaks and improve water efficiency, alongside investing in new supply infrastructure, including new reservoirs and water transfers.

Water companies have statutory duties to provide secure water supplies, efficiently and economically. Most water companies are currently finalising their statutory Water Resources Management Plans, which set out how they will provide secure water supplies sustainably for at least twenty-five years into the future. A summary of the draft plans is available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-review-of-englands-draft-regional-and-water-resources-management-plans

Officials are currently considering a range of options for improving the affordability of water bills, focusing on improving the fairness and effectiveness of affordability support across England and Wales. Additionally, all water companies have measures in place for people who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater service and should ensure that their customers know what support schemes are available and how to use them if they need help.