To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will discuss with Ofwat the introduction of a social tariff by water companies for low-income households which face higher costs from water metering. (284332)

Assistance is currently available to low income households that are metered through the Government’s Vulnerable Groups Tariff, also known as WaterSure. This caps bills at the average bill for their water company if they receive means-tested benefits and suffer either from a medical condition which causes a substantial increase in the use of water or have three or more dependent children under 19 in full-time education. The independent Walker Review of charging for household water and sewerage services is looking at whether WaterSure should be revised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on low-income households of water metering. (284333)

The interim report of the independent Walker Review of charging for household water and sewerage services was published on 29 June. It includes analysis of the costs and benefits of metering and the affordability of water. The report is available on DEFRA’s website.

The final report is expected to be published in the autumn and the Government will provide a full response to this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on the effect on low-income households of water metering. (284334)

Ministers have regular meetings with the Consumer Council for Water, which represents the interests of water customers. These include discussions around metering and affordability.

The independent Walker Review of charging for household water and sewerage services received 78 responses to its call for evidence and held five stakeholder workshops. These included representations on metering and affordability.