Thousands of low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years.
The changes will expand the eligibility criteria to include disability benefits, meaning a further 53k low-income households will see significant savings.
Thank you Labour!
The changes will expand the eligibility criteria to include disability benefits, meaning a further 53k low-income households will see significant savings.
Thank you Labour!
Reduced bills for around 300,000 households in WaterSure reform
Around 300,000 low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years.
www.gov.uk
March 6, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Thousands of low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years.
The changes will expand the eligibility criteria to include disability benefits, meaning a further 53k low-income households will see significant savings.
Thank you Labour!
The changes will expand the eligibility criteria to include disability benefits, meaning a further 53k low-income households will see significant savings.
Thank you Labour!
There are 3 criteria for being on a WaterSure tariff:
You have a water meter (or equivalent)
You are on certain means-tested benefits
AND
You have a high essential use for water due to:
Certain medical conditions that require higher-than-normal water use
3+ <19yo children in ft education
4/
You have a water meter (or equivalent)
You are on certain means-tested benefits
AND
You have a high essential use for water due to:
Certain medical conditions that require higher-than-normal water use
3+ <19yo children in ft education
4/
July 14, 2026 at 4:32 PM
There are 3 criteria for being on a WaterSure tariff:
You have a water meter (or equivalent)
You are on certain means-tested benefits
AND
You have a high essential use for water due to:
Certain medical conditions that require higher-than-normal water use
3+ <19yo children in ft education
4/
You have a water meter (or equivalent)
You are on certain means-tested benefits
AND
You have a high essential use for water due to:
Certain medical conditions that require higher-than-normal water use
3+ <19yo children in ft education
4/
It was brought in to protect those on low incomes WITH HIGH WATER NEEDS from financial hardship by capping their water bills.
And just to be clear, WaterSure was brought in 27 years ago!
Remember those "two-tier" claims in 1999?
Or in any of the last quarter-century?
No, me neither 🙄
5/
And just to be clear, WaterSure was brought in 27 years ago!
Remember those "two-tier" claims in 1999?
Or in any of the last quarter-century?
No, me neither 🙄
5/
July 14, 2026 at 4:32 PM
It was brought in to protect those on low incomes WITH HIGH WATER NEEDS from financial hardship by capping their water bills.
And just to be clear, WaterSure was brought in 27 years ago!
Remember those "two-tier" claims in 1999?
Or in any of the last quarter-century?
No, me neither 🙄
5/
And just to be clear, WaterSure was brought in 27 years ago!
Remember those "two-tier" claims in 1999?
Or in any of the last quarter-century?
No, me neither 🙄
5/
So, in order to avoid an insanely costly logistics process to assess every individual on their books, the water companies have basically said that their de facto vulnerable customers:
Blue Badge Holders
Priority Services Register
WaterSure tariff users
are exempt from the ban.
Blue Badge Holders
Priority Services Register
WaterSure tariff users
are exempt from the ban.
July 14, 2026 at 4:32 PM
So, in order to avoid an insanely costly logistics process to assess every individual on their books, the water companies have basically said that their de facto vulnerable customers:
Blue Badge Holders
Priority Services Register
WaterSure tariff users
are exempt from the ban.
Blue Badge Holders
Priority Services Register
WaterSure tariff users
are exempt from the ban.
3 groups of people are generally exempt from hosepipe bans (exact details vary from company to company)
Blue Badge Holders
Those on the Priority Services Register
WaterSure Tariff customers
It is this third group the press are suddenly up in arms about
3/
Blue Badge Holders
Those on the Priority Services Register
WaterSure Tariff customers
It is this third group the press are suddenly up in arms about
3/
July 14, 2026 at 4:32 PM
3 groups of people are generally exempt from hosepipe bans (exact details vary from company to company)
Blue Badge Holders
Those on the Priority Services Register
WaterSure Tariff customers
It is this third group the press are suddenly up in arms about
3/
Blue Badge Holders
Those on the Priority Services Register
WaterSure Tariff customers
It is this third group the press are suddenly up in arms about
3/
Labour is reforming the WaterSure scheme which provides support for water bills for those on low incomes.
Around 300,000 households will see lower bills thanks to the changes Labour is making to the water sector
#Labour
Around 300,000 households will see lower bills thanks to the changes Labour is making to the water sector
#Labour
Reduced bills for around 300,000 households in WaterSure reform
Around 300,000 low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years.
www.gov.uk
March 6, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Labour is reforming the WaterSure scheme which provides support for water bills for those on low incomes.
Around 300,000 households will see lower bills thanks to the changes Labour is making to the water sector
#Labour
Around 300,000 households will see lower bills thanks to the changes Labour is making to the water sector
#Labour
If you need help with your water bills. WaterSure is a scheme that offers help for those who use a lot of water.
Your own water company will offer help with debts; such as WaterHelp for Thames Water, Big Difference for Severn Trent.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/wat...
Your own water company will offer help with debts; such as WaterHelp for Thames Water, Big Difference for Severn Trent.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/wat...
WaterSure scheme – help with paying water bills
Watersure is a scheme to help save money with your water bill, if you get certain benefits and you have three or more children under 19 or someone in your house has a medical condition that means more...
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
If you need help with your water bills. WaterSure is a scheme that offers help for those who use a lot of water.
Your own water company will offer help with debts; such as WaterHelp for Thames Water, Big Difference for Severn Trent.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/wat...
Your own water company will offer help with debts; such as WaterHelp for Thames Water, Big Difference for Severn Trent.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/wat...
We’re reducing water bills for up to 300,000 customers through major reforms to the WaterSure scheme.
The government's expanded support will help families who need it most.
Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/n...
The government's expanded support will help families who need it most.
Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reduced bills for around 300,000 households in WaterSure reform
Around 300,000 low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years.
www.gov.uk
March 6, 2026 at 2:39 PM
We’re reducing water bills for up to 300,000 customers through major reforms to the WaterSure scheme.
The government's expanded support will help families who need it most.
Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/n...
The government's expanded support will help families who need it most.
Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Around 300,000 low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years.
Reduced bills for around 300,000 households in WaterSure reform
Around 300,000 low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years.
www.gov.uk
March 6, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Around 300,000 low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years.
And for the avoidance of doubt - you have to PROVE why you have higher water needs to be on that tariff.
Water companies aren't dishing them out for fun!
And it is absolutely NOT for using hoses to water the garden or refilling pools etc!
8/
Water companies aren't dishing them out for fun!
And it is absolutely NOT for using hoses to water the garden or refilling pools etc!
8/
July 14, 2026 at 4:32 PM
And for the avoidance of doubt - you have to PROVE why you have higher water needs to be on that tariff.
Water companies aren't dishing them out for fun!
And it is absolutely NOT for using hoses to water the garden or refilling pools etc!
8/
Water companies aren't dishing them out for fun!
And it is absolutely NOT for using hoses to water the garden or refilling pools etc!
8/
<8% of households in the country are on this tariff
And I don't know about you, but I don't think I'd swap my hosepipe ban for being on a low income AND suffering from these conditions👇
Maybe those who whine about this 27-year-old policy should have to try living with a family who is...🤷♀️
And I don't know about you, but I don't think I'd swap my hosepipe ban for being on a low income AND suffering from these conditions👇
Maybe those who whine about this 27-year-old policy should have to try living with a family who is...🤷♀️
July 14, 2026 at 4:33 PM
<8% of households in the country are on this tariff
And I don't know about you, but I don't think I'd swap my hosepipe ban for being on a low income AND suffering from these conditions👇
Maybe those who whine about this 27-year-old policy should have to try living with a family who is...🤷♀️
And I don't know about you, but I don't think I'd swap my hosepipe ban for being on a low income AND suffering from these conditions👇
Maybe those who whine about this 27-year-old policy should have to try living with a family who is...🤷♀️
Just got my new water bill & instalment plan, this year the bill is £496, the instalment plan towards next year's bill is £720, two years ago the bill was £230, I pay the watersure tariff for vulnerable people, being fleeced & asked to save water, whilst they flush waste water into the rivers & sea.
May 6, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Just got my new water bill & instalment plan, this year the bill is £496, the instalment plan towards next year's bill is £720, two years ago the bill was £230, I pay the watersure tariff for vulnerable people, being fleeced & asked to save water, whilst they flush waste water into the rivers & sea.
My water bill is taking the piss
2022 £270
2023 £373
2024 £476
I have a meter, but I pay rates as I am a watersure tariff due to my disabilities, so they are robbing people like me to pay shareholders, whilst they flush sewage into our waters to save money.
2022 £270
2023 £373
2024 £476
I have a meter, but I pay rates as I am a watersure tariff due to my disabilities, so they are robbing people like me to pay shareholders, whilst they flush sewage into our waters to save money.
February 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM
My water bill is taking the piss
2022 £270
2023 £373
2024 £476
I have a meter, but I pay rates as I am a watersure tariff due to my disabilities, so they are robbing people like me to pay shareholders, whilst they flush sewage into our waters to save money.
2022 £270
2023 £373
2024 £476
I have a meter, but I pay rates as I am a watersure tariff due to my disabilities, so they are robbing people like me to pay shareholders, whilst they flush sewage into our waters to save money.
I'm on a meter, but pay watersure rates, due to my illnesses, two years back it was £230, this year it's £500 odd, paying towards next year's bill, they want £720.
May 14, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I'm on a meter, but pay watersure rates, due to my illnesses, two years back it was £230, this year it's £500 odd, paying towards next year's bill, they want £720.
Here’s nine things Labour’s Plan for Change has delivered this week:
🏡 Labour is cutting water bills for hundreds of thousands of households, delivering the biggest WaterSure overhaul in nearly 30 years
⛽ Drivers’ pockets are being protected after Labour froze fuel duty 🧵
🏡 Labour is cutting water bills for hundreds of thousands of households, delivering the biggest WaterSure overhaul in nearly 30 years
⛽ Drivers’ pockets are being protected after Labour froze fuel duty 🧵
March 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Here’s nine things Labour’s Plan for Change has delivered this week:
🏡 Labour is cutting water bills for hundreds of thousands of households, delivering the biggest WaterSure overhaul in nearly 30 years
⛽ Drivers’ pockets are being protected after Labour froze fuel duty 🧵
🏡 Labour is cutting water bills for hundreds of thousands of households, delivering the biggest WaterSure overhaul in nearly 30 years
⛽ Drivers’ pockets are being protected after Labour froze fuel duty 🧵
Cutting water bills, tackling child poverty, and strengthening communities. All this and more with nine things Labour's Plan for Change delivered last week👇
www.marycreagh.co.uk/news/planfor...
www.marycreagh.co.uk/news/planfor...
9 Things Labour has Delivered this Week: 13th March 2026 — Mary Creagh CBE Labour MP
Here’s nine things Labour’s Plan for Change has delivered this week: 🏡 Labour is cutting water bills for hundreds of thousands of households , delivering the biggest WaterSure overhaul i...
www.marycreagh.co.uk
March 16, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Cutting water bills, tackling child poverty, and strengthening communities. All this and more with nine things Labour's Plan for Change delivered last week👇
www.marycreagh.co.uk/news/planfor...
www.marycreagh.co.uk/news/planfor...
🚰 If you're on a means-tested benefit and have a medical condition or a large family, WaterSure caps your bill.
To apply for WaterSure, you need to fill out a form from your water company. (4/8)
To apply for WaterSure, you need to fill out a form from your water company. (4/8)
April 3, 2025 at 4:35 PM
🚰 If you're on a means-tested benefit and have a medical condition or a large family, WaterSure caps your bill.
To apply for WaterSure, you need to fill out a form from your water company. (4/8)
To apply for WaterSure, you need to fill out a form from your water company. (4/8)
🏡WaterSure overhauled to cut water bills for hundreds of thousands
👷Fast track apprenticeship reforms to get young people into future industries, modernising apprenticeships and developing the courses employers need, with a new university-style clearance system for applicants
👷Fast track apprenticeship reforms to get young people into future industries, modernising apprenticeships and developing the courses employers need, with a new university-style clearance system for applicants
March 16, 2026 at 10:35 PM
🏡WaterSure overhauled to cut water bills for hundreds of thousands
👷Fast track apprenticeship reforms to get young people into future industries, modernising apprenticeships and developing the courses employers need, with a new university-style clearance system for applicants
👷Fast track apprenticeship reforms to get young people into future industries, modernising apprenticeships and developing the courses employers need, with a new university-style clearance system for applicants
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants to know what you think about proposed reforms to the ‘WaterSure’ scheme. These proposals will offer stronger protection to better protect low-income households with high water needs.
Share your views here: consult.defra.gov.uk...
Share your views here: consult.defra.gov.uk...
August 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants to know what you think about proposed reforms to the ‘WaterSure’ scheme. These proposals will offer stronger protection to better protect low-income households with high water needs.
Share your views here: consult.defra.gov.uk...
Share your views here: consult.defra.gov.uk...
That's still quite cheap compared to Southern water. They have a Watersure tariff for those using excess water & I would've thought industry wise there's a similar thing.
October 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
That's still quite cheap compared to Southern water. They have a Watersure tariff for those using excess water & I would've thought industry wise there's a similar thing.
DAILY MIRROR: Revolutionary reforms to WaterSure scheme could ease financial burdens for struggling families in the UK, as low-income households gain access to essential support on water bills.
- by Ashley Cowburn
- by Ashley Cowburn
Thousands more families could save on water bills - all you need to know
Environment Secretary Steve Reed will soon overhaul the WaterSure scheme which could result in more low-income households being eligible for a cap on their bills
www.mirror.co.uk
March 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
DAILY MIRROR: Revolutionary reforms to WaterSure scheme could ease financial burdens for struggling families in the UK, as low-income households gain access to essential support on water bills.
- by Ashley Cowburn
- by Ashley Cowburn
Feed: "Smart Water Magazine - The online media resource specialized in water and wastewater industry."
By: Smart Water Magazine on Monday, March 9, 2026
By: Smart Water Magazine on Monday, March 9, 2026
UK reforms WaterSure scheme to reduce water bills for around 300,000 households
The UK government has announced a major reform of the WaterSure support scheme that will reduce water bills for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable hous...
smartwatermagazine.com
March 10, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Feed: "Smart Water Magazine - The online media resource specialized in water and wastewater industry."
By: Smart Water Magazine on Monday, March 9, 2026
By: Smart Water Magazine on Monday, March 9, 2026
WaterSure is a scheme which helps some people with their water bills.
You need to be on benefits and need to use a lot of water either for medical reasons or because you have school-age children.
Find out more ⤵️
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/wat...
You need to be on benefits and need to use a lot of water either for medical reasons or because you have school-age children.
Find out more ⤵️
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/wat...
May 1, 2025 at 6:06 AM
WaterSure is a scheme which helps some people with their water bills.
You need to be on benefits and need to use a lot of water either for medical reasons or because you have school-age children.
Find out more ⤵️
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/wat...
You need to be on benefits and need to use a lot of water either for medical reasons or because you have school-age children.
Find out more ⤵️
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/wat...