Rustie Lee poured water pints at the Westminster Tap, a pop-up pub setup by charity Independent Age in Westminster to highlight the unfair postcode lottery of water bills.
Each tap represented a region of England and Wales and displayed the average annual water bill in that region, alongside the level of support currently available through the existing social tariff provided by that region’s water company. The highest average annual bill is Southern Water at £759, while the lowest is Northumbrian Water at £535[1].
Independent Age has launched a petition calling for a national social tariff that provides standardised and consistent financial support for people of all ages living on low incomes.
Earlier this year, the charity expressed disappointment with the UK Government’s water white paper on reforming the sector, which didn’t include any plans on a national social tariff. Under the current system all water providers provide a social tariff for customers on low incomes, but their eligibility criteria and generosity vary significantly from region to region.
In March, the charity released national YouGov polling showing that around one in five people (22%) in England and Wales are cutting down on water usage due to cost, with 33% of this group saying it is negatively impacting their health[2].
Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE said: “We’ve created the Westminster Tap to shine a light on the unfair postcode lottery of water bills. Where you live shouldn’t determine the level of financial support you receive, yet under the current system, people face drastically different bills and support options simply because of their address.
“We regularly hear from older people that are rationing their water because of high bills, and our own research showed that without government intervention there will be a surge in water poverty. In reality, this means only washing a couple times a week and avoiding flushing the toilet.
“We are urging the UK Government to introduce a national water social tariff that reduces bills for those on low incomes. Water is not a luxury, it’s a necessity – no one should be forced to ration it.”
Rustie Lee Said:
“I’m here today at The Westminster Tap pouring water pints to shine a light on the growing problem of water poverty. I was shocked to hear how many people are cutting back on their water usage because of rising bills.
“ More needs to be done to protect older people on low incomes from rising water bills. I hope for a future where nobody has to ration their water usage because their bills are too high”.
Yvonne Bailey, 80, Oxfordshire said:
“I am already reducing how often I flush the toilet and I put the washing machine on shorter cycles. What else can I do to cut down?
“I am on Pension Credit and have a very small income, I am barely getting by as it is. I have spent years worrying about my energy bills, and now I am just as concerned about water.”
