Yorkshire Water has launched a new tariff which will help to reduce the bills of around 10,000 customers on low incomes and whose water bills are higher than average.

Customers eligible for the new Water Support tariff could see their bills fall by around £150 a year.

The announcement comes following the news that water bills across the region are set to drop by an average of 3% from April 2015.

The company will be targeting customers with low household incomes and whose water bills are higher than average, but who aren’t currently in arrears with bill payment. Yorkshire Water will contact the customers identified to discuss if WaterSupport is the best tariff for them.  Customers can also contact Yorkshire Water direct if they believe they may be eligible.

The aim is to provide assistance to vulnerable customers and prevent them from getting into debt. For customers who are in arrears on their bills alternative schemes are available to provide assistance.

Yorkshire Water Chief Executive Richard Flint said:

 “Yorkshire Water customers already benefit from having some of the lowest bills in the UK and to help customers even more we’ll be reducing the average bill by 3% from April 2015. However, we know the cost of living is a real concern for some of our customers and we want to do what we can to support those that are struggling with their water bills.”

“We already have a number of schemes aimed at helping vulnerable customers and those struggling with debt, but our new Water Support tariff will help to prevent customers on low incomes getting into debt in the first place.”

“Yorkshire Water is committed to being a responsible business and our new social tariff is an important step in ensuring we do everything we can to support our customers.”

Labour MP for Wakefield Mary Creagh MP who helped to launch the new scheme on a visit to Yorkshire Water’s customer contact centre in Bradford said a  Labour government would force all water companies to offer a social tariff.