ClosedConsultation consultationoutcome

Proposed reforms to the WaterSure support scheme

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
21 July 2025
Last updated
246 NovemberMarch 20252026 — See all updates

Applies to England

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Summary theof outcomeresponses toand thisgovernment publicresponse feedback.

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Detail of outcome

Detail of feedback received

We received 63 responses to this consultation. Defra thanks all of those who considered these proposals and areprovided currentlycomments.

Defra analysingconsulted on the feedback.proposed Wereforms expectfrom to21 publishJuly to the 1 September 2025.

This document provides a summary of responses to the responsespublic consultation and the government response.

The final reforms to the WaterSure Scheme can be found under the government response heading in earlythe 2026.document.

Original consultation

Summary

Seeking views on proposed reforms to the WaterSure scheme, which caps water bills for low-income customers who have high essential water use.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants to know what you think about proposed reforms to the ‘WaterSure’ scheme. These proposals will offer stronger protection to low-income households with high essential water use.  

WaterSure caps bills for low-income households on means-tested benefits who need to use high levels of water because they have either: 

  • a qualifying medical condition 
  • 3 or more children in the household 

WaterSure caps the household’s water and sewerage bill at the amount of the average household water and sewerage bill in the water company’s area. 

We are seeking views on the following proposals:  

  1. Extending the list of qualifying benefits to include non-means tested disability benefits for those claiming through a qualifying medical condition.  
  2. Updating the WaterSure bill cap to the amount of the average metered or unmetered bill (whichever is lower). 
  3. Capping bills for single occupiers at the average bill for a single occupier. 
  4. Removing the option for water companies to require a medical practitioner’s note for health conditions not specifically listed in the WaterSure regulations. 
  5. Specifically listing more potentially qualifying medical conditions.

Updates to this page

Published 21 July 2025
Last updated 246 NovemberMarch 20252026 + show all updates

  1. Added the summary of responses and government response.

  2. Information has been added about the consultation response.

  3. First published.

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