Water firms' pledge to end water poverty by 2030 has 'evaporated' while bills soar 34%, watchdog warns

Mike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water, says water companies' pledge to end water poverty by the decade's close is "increasingly difficult to believe," with roughly 1.8 million households in England and Wales having fallen into water poverty even before the most recent bill increases took effect.

Social tariffs gave 2.3 million customers discounted bills last year, a 19% rise, yet average charges have still surged 34% since April 2025.

The watchdog describes the existing system as an "unfair and unsustainable postcode lottery," with annual discounts that vary sharply by region, ranging from £159 to £474.

CCW is pushing for a single national social tariff to replace the fragmented company-by-company arrangements and deliver a consistently "stronger safety net."