Committee publication · Correspondence · 26 November 2025
Correspondence to Northumbrian 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 Northumbrian Water's CEO requesting detailed information about the company's debt recovery practices targeting vulnerable customers, including use of bailiffs and Suspended Committal Orders. The letter follows the committee's June 2025 report expressing concerns about water poverty and seeks annual data since 2010 on enforcement actions, particularly against low-debt cases and benefit recipients.
Key findings
- Committee previously identified rising water poverty, lack of single social tariff, and low awareness of support as key concerns in Priorities for water sector reform report (June 2025)
- Letter requests full disclosure of company policies on enforcement measures including bailiffs, Orders to Obtain Information, and Suspended Committal Orders
- Seeks data on enforcement actions against debts under £1,000 and cases involving customers receiving means-tested benefits
- Requests information on Consumer Council for Water complaints related to enforcement and compliance with Ofwat's Paying Fair guidelines
- Asks for breakdown of costs associated with pursuing Suspended Committal Orders against low-debt cases
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Alistair Carmichael MP, Heidi Mottram, Helena Dollimore MP, Northumbrian Water, Consumer Council for Water, Ofwat, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Notable line
“… 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.”
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 am writing to you about water company practices around debt recovery from vulnerable customers.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗