Committee publication · Correspondence · 26 November 2025
Correspondence to Anglian 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 EFRA Committee Chair writes to Anglian Water's CEO requesting detailed information about the company's debt recovery practices, particularly concerning vulnerable customers and low-value debts. The letter follows the committee's June 2025 report on water sector reform and seeks disclosure of policies on bailiffs, Suspended Committal Orders, and enforcement measures, alongside specific data from 2010 onwards.
Key findings
- Committee has expressed concerns about rising water poverty due to increased bills, lack of single social tariff, and low public awareness of available support
- Request for full disclosure of policies and internal guidance on enforcement measures including bailiffs, Orders to Obtain Information, and Suspended Committal Orders
- Asks for data on enforcement agent visits to homes, particularly cases involving debts under £1,000, since 2010
- Seeks information on Suspended Committal Orders sought, granted, and involving debtors on means-tested benefits
- Requests data on complaints to Consumer Council for Water regarding enforcement actions and non-compliance with Ofwat's Paying Fair guidelines
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Alistair Carmichael MP, Mark Thurston, Helena Dollimore MP, Anglian Water, Ofwat, Consumer Council for Water
Notable line
“We are therefore writing to ask about your company's approach to seeking Suspended Committal Orders (SCOs) and sending bailiffs to low-income households with low levels of debt.”
Key Quotes
“In our recent report, Priorities for water sector reform, 1 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.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗