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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the level of the rise in water connection charges for domestic consumers.

Water connection charges for domestic consumers vary by water company and are set on a cost-recovery basis in line with Ofwat’s charging rules. Administration fees and application charges for new connections differ by water company. There is no centrally held estimate on water connection charges; however, each water company is required to comply with Ofwat’s new connection charging rules and to publish their connection charging arrangements. The Government recognises the pressure that water bills, including connection charges, can place on households and expects charges across the sector to be fair and proportionate.