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Water Charges: Social Tariffs

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 17 September 2025UIN 76604

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 72871 on Social Tariffs, whether the increase in customers on social tariffs will result in increased bills for other customers.

Answered by Emma Hardy

Statutory guidance requires companies to balance their support for low-income households against the interests of other customers.

In their business plans for the period between 2025–2030, some companies have committed to shareholder contributions to financial support schemes such as social tariffs and matched debt repayments.

The projected number of customers on social tariffs between 2025-2030 has already been factored into price controls; any additional increase will not affect bill levels for other customers.

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