Written question WQ100218
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure water bills remain affordable, in light of reports that bills are set to rise?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability (Llyr Gruffydd)
Recent draft decisions by Ofwat on additional investment through its Cost Change Process do not result in additional bill increases for customers in Wales.
The Welsh Government recognises concerns about rising water bills and has consistently made it clear that affordability must be a key consideration in decisions about future investment and charges.
Water bills are set independently by Ofwat through the statutory price review process every five years. The next price review period will be in 2030-2035 and Welsh Government has already begun work through the Wales Price Review Forum with regulators, consumer representatives and water companies to ensure the interests of people in Wales are reflected in the next price review.
We also continue to press water companies to ensure support reaches those who need it. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy provide a range of assistance schemes, including social tariffs, debt support and schemes to help vulnerable customers.
Customers of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy who opt for a water meter can benefit from arrangements that allow them to trial metered charging and revert if it is not beneficial to them.