Committee publication · Correspondence · 26 November 2025
Correspondence to Hafren Dyfrdwy 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 EFRA Committee Chair writes to Hafren Dyfrdwy's Managing Director requesting detailed information about the company's debt recovery practices, particularly enforcement actions against vulnerable and low-income customers. The letter follows the committee's June 2025 report on water sector reform and seeks specific data on bailiff visits, Suspended Committal Orders, and debt collection enforcement since 2010, with response due by 5 January 2026.
Key findings
- Committee raised concerns in its water reform report about rising water poverty, lack of a single social tariff, and low awareness of support available to customers in need.
- Letter requests full disclosure of Hafren Dyfrdwy's policies on enforcement measures including use of bailiffs, Orders to Obtain Information, and Suspended Committal Orders.
- Committee seeks data on bailiff visits to homes and how many cases involved debts under £1,000 for each year since 2010.
- Requests information on Suspended Committal Orders sought, granted, and their distribution among customers owing less than £1,000 and those receiving means-tested benefits.
- Seeks complaint data to Consumer Council for Water regarding enforcement actions and failure to follow Ofwat's Paying Fair guidelines.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Alistair Carmichael MP, James Jesic, Helena Dollimore MP, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Consumer Council for Water, Ofwat
Notable line
“I am writing to you about water company practices around debt recovery from vulnerable customers.”
Key Quotes
“… 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 ↗