Millions of people could pay less for their water bills after the Government backed down on proposals for new social tariffs tabled by the Liberal Democrats.
Ministers promised to introduce new social tariffs, after the Liberal Democrats put forward a clause into the Flood and Water Management Bill that could cut the bills of the poorest customers.
The Government’s U-turn came last Thursday (21st January) at the final Commons committee stage of the Flood and Water Management Bill. The Government ‘conceded the principle’ behind the clause proposed by the Liberal Democrats and promised to come back with their own proposals.
Only 24,000 customers currently benefit from the Government’s WaterSure schme that provides assistance to vulnerable people with their bills despite estimates by Defra that as many as 300,000 households could be eligible. Primary legislation obliging water companies to offer new social tariffs could cut the bills of millions of people struggling to pay their water bills.
I am delighted by the Government’s U-turn on this issue. With so many pressures on family budgets, it is right that we take action now to protect the most vulnerable customers.
The Conservatives opposed this measure. It speaks volumes about how Tories would behave towards our poorest citizens if they ever get into Government.
Diana Coman 