Mel Stride MP has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the £50 annual reduction in water bills that residents in his constituency and across the South West have received since 2012.
The reduction grew out of the findings of the Walker Review into affordability and charges in the water industry in 2009. This highlighted the historically high level of charges in the South West and in particular recognised the 'unfairness' of 3% of the population of England and Wales paying for the clean-up of a third of all the country's bathing waters. In 2012 Prime Minister David Cameron introduced special legislation, giving giving South West Water up to £40 million annually to reduce household bills by £50 from 2013.
The Chief Executive Officer of South West Water Susan Davy recently wrote to Mr Stride to thank him for his support and lobbying in helping to secure an extension of the reduction for 2023-24.
Mr Stride said:
“Residents in Central Devon and across the region face higher than average water bills, with a third of our country’s bathing waters to maintain. This reduction is a huge help to many families, particularly those on the lowest incomes, and I am very pleased it has been extended for at least another year.”
Households receive the reduction in their bills automatically and do not need to contact South West Water.
