Labour’s amendments to the Water Bill would help tackle the cost of living crisis – Maria Eagle
 
Labour has tabled amendments to the Government’s Water Bill to help tackle the cost of living crisis facing households. The amendments, to be debated today (Tuesday), in the committee of the House of Commons scrutinising the legislation, would:
 
·         Require the Government to introduce a new National Affordability Scheme to help those struggling to pay their water bill, replacing the current voluntary arrangement which has seen just three water companies establish a ‘social tariff’;
·         Require water companies to provide all customers with details of schemes to help with the cost of water alongside their bills, with clear information about how to apply, to tackle the lack of awareness of help available;
·         Provide the Consumer Council for Water with new powers of redress to resolve customer complaints, including the ability to require water companies to make refunds; and new rights for it to be be consulted on the charging schemes of water companies;
·         Force water companies to submit to Government annual information regarding their performance, investment, taxation structure, corporate structure and total amount of dividends paid to shareholders; and enable Ofwat to use this information to reopen price settlements to reduce bills.
 
Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, said:
 
“The rising cost of water is adding to the cost of living crisis, yet the Government refuses to stand up to the water companies despite many walking away with hundreds of millions of pounds and paying little tax. David Cameron’s weak response has been a single letter begging the water companies not to hike bills too much, even though he could force them to act by using his own legislation on water which is being debated in parliament right now.
 
“Labour will stand up for struggling households by amending the Government’s water legislation to introduce a package of measures to require greater responsibility from the water companies.
 
“Labour’s reforms would require all water companies to sign up to a new national affordability scheme to help those struggling to pay; ensure all customers know what help is available; and give the consumer body stronger powers to require companies to refund customers when things go wrong.
 
“Labour’s plans would also require water companies to provide annual information about their complex corporate and financial structures, with new powers for Ofwat to consider levels of dividend payment and taxation when determining whether to reopen price settlements and cut household bills.”