Andy White, senior leader for the CCW, said it was good that more people than ever were getting help through social tariffs.
“However, it also shines a light on the fact that there are significant differences in the support that is available to customers depending who serves them as a water company,” he said, describing it as a “postcode lottery”.
“Whether you actually get the help and qualify for that, and how much help that is, depends entirely on the scheme that each company is offering,” he said.
“And we don’t think it’s right that people should have different support depending on where they live.”
The CCW wants companies to have one social tariff for people who cannot afford their water and to all contribute to a shared pot so that the costs do not fall heaviest on the poorest areas.
Water UK, which represents water companies, said: “Ultimately it is up to Government to set the guidance on social tariffs, but water companies offer significantly higher reductions than other utilities such as energy.”
The government said it was committed to supporting vulnerable consumers with their bills and addressing water poverty, and had announced “an Independent Water Commission which will report back next year with recommendations to protect customers”.
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