A water company has launched a scheme offering to cut bills by 90 per cent for those who are financially struggling. Severn Trent have launched a £30 million support fund to help people who are facing increasing cost of living pressures.
As the cost of living continues to rise, the water company has pledged to support an extra 100,000 customers who are struggling to pay their water bills. The funds are available to those on low incomes.
Those eligible could see a reduction in their bill of up to 90 per cent. Liv Garfield, Severn Trent CEO, said: “As cost of living pressures continue to rise, we’re acting now to support people struggling to pay their bills.
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"Our customers have the second lowest bill in the UK, at around £1 per day, but we know that for some, paying this remains a challenge. I’m pleased to announce a commitment today to help thousands more people on low incomes to reduce their water bill by up to 90%”
According to the Consumer Council for Water, 6 per cent of people in the Midlands are classed as being in water poverty. Water poverty applies to those customers who spend more than 5 per cent of their total income (after household costs) on their water bill.
Research by management consultants CEPA suggests 6.5 per cent or 1.5m households in England and Wales are in water poverty. Severn Trent have said this scheme will help 100,000 people in water poverty, supporting a total of 315,000 of the company’s most financially vulnerable customers.
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Emma Clancy, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said: “No one should have to worry about being to afford their water bill so we’re delighted to see Severn Trent putting its hand in its own pocket to help thousands more low-income households at a time of real crisis for many people.”
“Our independent review of water affordability set out a clear path to ending people’s worries over water bills and with the support of companies like Severn Trent and the wider water sector we can ensure people struggling to pay always get the help they need, when they need it most.”
There are other schemes such as The Big Difference Scheme and WaterSure available to customers struggling to afford their water bills. There is also a payment matching scheme, for those needing help with bills.
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