Committee publication · Correspondence · 26 November 2025
Correspondence to Yorkshire Water relating to its approach to customers in arrears, dated 26 November 2025
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Reforming the water sector
Summary
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Chair writes to Yorkshire Water's CEO requesting detailed information about the company's debt recovery practices, particularly enforcement actions against vulnerable customers with low-level debts. The letter follows the committee's June 2025 report on water sector reform, which identified concerns about rising water poverty and inadequate support for customers in need.
Key findings
- Committee expressed concerns in recent report about rising water poverty due to increased bills, lack of single social tariff, and low public awareness of support available
- Letter requests full disclosure of policies on enforcement measures including bailiffs, Orders to Obtain Information, and Suspended Committal Orders (SCOs)
- Committee seeks data on enforcement actions since 2010: number of bailiff visits, cases involving debts under £1,000, SCOs sought and granted, and cases involving means-tested benefit recipients
- Letter asks for information on complaints to Consumer Council for Water regarding enforcement actions and non-compliance with Ofwat's Paying Fair guidelines
- Committee requests cost data associated with applying for and pursuing SCOs against those with debts under £1,000
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Alistair Carmichael MP, Nicola Shaw, Helena Dollimore MP, Yorkshire Water, Ofwat, Consumer Council for Water
Notable line
“… we expressed concerns about rising levels of water poverty due to increased bills, the lack of a single social tariff and low public awareness of the support available”
Key Quotes
“I am writing to you about water company practices around debt recovery from vulnerable customers.”
“… we expressed concerns about rising levels of water poverty due to increased bills, the lack of a single social tariff and low public awareness of the support available to customers in need”
“I would be grateful if you could set out in full any policies or internal guidance currently in force in relation to enforcement measures, including the use of bailiffs, Orders to Obtain Information and SCOs for water and sewerage debts.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗