To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken to assist low income families with the costs of sewage and water pipe repairs. (227815)

[holding answer 21 October 2008]: There is no specific assistance available to low income families towards the costs of sewage or water pipe repairs. All water companies do however offer some degree of free or subsidised repair and replacement for domestic customers’ water supply pipes. This is undertaken as a leakage control measure as part of the water companies’ statutory duty to promote the efficient use of water by their customers. The exact nature of the repair policy and any restrictions to that policy are dependent on the water company and its operating conditions.