The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is warning that the largest rise in the average household water and sewerage bill for almost 20 years could prove a tipping point for the one in five customers already struggling to pay.

CCW, the independent voice of water consumers, has issued the warning in response to Water UK confirming the average household bill in England and Wales will rise by about £31 to £448 from April. The 7.5 per cent average increase – the largest since 2005-06 - doesn’t tell the full story though.

Regional variations and other individual factors such as whether a customer is metered and how much water they use means some households could face rises significantly above – or below – the average.

“Postcode lottery” of social tariff schemes means many customers slip through the net

Although water companies are helping more than a million households through their own social tariff schemes, CCW says the ‘postcode lottery’ nature of this support means many customers who cannot afford their bill slip through the net.

CCW has repeated its call for the UK Government to deliver on its promise to consult on a new water affordability scheme that would provide fair and consistent support for households based on need, not where they live.

Emma Clancy, Chief Executive of CCW, said:

“Water is essential for all of us so no-one should be worried about being able to afford their bill. These increases will bring more uncertainty to struggling households at a time when they can’t be certain they will get the help they need.”

“Low-income households need immediate relief and the long-term security of knowing their water bill will be affordable. It’s not fair that struggling households face a postcode lottery when it comes to getting help with their bill - that’s why we urgently need a new water affordability scheme that provides consistent support based on people’s needs.”

Creating a new affordability scheme – or single social tariff - to lift more than a million households out of water poverty across England and Wales was the central recommendation of CCW’s independent review of water affordability, which was commissioned by the UK and Welsh governments. The review found that existing water company support still left five out of six customers who cannot afford their water bill without the help they need.

Environment Minister Therese Coffey "not minded" to pursue a new single social tariff scheme

The UK Government publicly committed last August to consult on a new water affordability scheme but this has yet to materialise. The current Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Therese Coffey recently stated she is not minded to pursue a new single scheme.

Jess Cook, water poverty lead at National Energy Action (NEA), said:

“Social tariffs are essential for low-income households. Discounted water bills for those struggling to pay can stop the most vulnerable from cutting back or running up debt when they can ill afford to do so. But the current postcode lottery means where you live affects what you pay and what support you receive, and the Secretary of State, Thérèse Coffey, has suggested that fixing this is not one of her top priorities. With water bills rising 7.5 per cent on average during this cost-of-living crisis, it’s more vital than ever that access to a social tariff should be made fairer, more consistent, and accessible to everyone who needs it, regardless of where they live.”