Linked Data API

Show Search Form

Search Results

1121344
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2019-04-11more like thismore than 2019-04-11
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Water: Prices more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that water services are affordable for older people. more like this
tabling member constituency Motherwell and Wishaw more like this
tabling member printed
Marion Fellows more like this
uin 244155 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2019-04-23more like thismore than 2019-04-23
answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s November 2017 ‘S<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661803/sps-ofwat-2017.pdf" target="_blank">trategic policy statement</a> to Ofwat’, the economic regulator for the water industry, challenged the water industry to do more for vulnerable customers in England, including older people. In Ofwat’s Price Review 2019 process in which water companies set out their business plans for 2020-25, Ofwat required companies to set out in their business plans how they would better identify and support those customers who need financial help. Work on the plans is ongoing.</p><p> </p><p>Current support includes the Government mandated WaterSure scheme which enables water companies to cap bills for eligible low income customers using a lot of water for essential family or health reasons. All water companies also offer schemes, known as social tariffs, for eligible customers on low incomes or receiving specific benefits. Approximately 400,000 household customers currently benefit from such water bill support schemes.</p><p> </p><p>Legislative powers recently put in place in the Digital Economy Act 2017 allow data sharing between water companies and other organisations, including Government departments such as the Department for Work and Pensions. This will help companies identify and consequently provide support to more customers who may need help with their bills.</p><p> </p>
answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal more like this
answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey more like this
question first answered
less than 2019-04-23T10:22:02.003Zmore like thismore than 2019-04-23T10:22:02.003Z
answering member
4098
label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey more like this
tabling member
4440
label Biography information for Marion Fellows remove filter