VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Water Charges: Universal Credit

Asked by Siân BerryGreen PartyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 14 July 2026UIN 17221

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to help ensure consistency between water companies in the inclusion of Universal Credit housing costs when calculating household income.

Answered by Emma Hardy

Water companies are responsible for the design of their social tariffs and may take different approaches when assessing household income, including when considering Universal Credit and housing cost. Government is working with industry to keep support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers are supported. In addition, we are reforming the statutory WaterSure scheme, including extending eligibility and increasing support for qualifying households.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim