Abacus Daily Debt News

Debtors ‘increasingly helped’ with water bills

New research has revealed that more and more people are being afforded assistance in paying their water bills, with an 80 per cent increase in successful applications for the WaterSure tariff in the last two years.

Figures from industry regulator Ofwat have shown that, over the past 12 months, 29,000 people needing help paying their bills were successful in claiming for WaterSure. This compares to just over 16,000 during 2006.

Policy manager for the Consumer Council for Water Andy White remarked that the recession has played a hand in making debtors look at how they can save, although this increase can also be put down to the enhanced promotion of the scheme.

"WaterSure is available to everyone who needs it. That’s not to say that everyone who needs it is aware of it," he remarked, adding that a campaign is being launched today (September 29th), to draw consumers’ attention to moneysaving tips and ways to cut down on bills.

By Sarah Adie