Committee publication · Correspondence · 26 November 2025
Correspondence to Wessex 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 Wessex Water CEO requesting detailed information on the company's debt recovery practices, particularly regarding enforcement actions (bailiffs, Suspended Committal Orders) against vulnerable and low-income customers with small debts. The letter follows the committee's earlier report on water sector reform, which identified concerns about rising water poverty and inadequate support for vulnerable customers.
Key findings
- Committee expresses concern about enforcement agents being sent to homes for debts under £1,000, requesting data on frequency and outcomes since 2010
- Requests disclosure of Suspended Committal Orders sought, granted, and their outcomes for customers owing less than £1,000
- Asks for information on enforcement actions against customers in receipt of means-tested benefits
- Seeks data on complaints to Consumer Council for Water regarding enforcement practices and non-compliance with Ofwat's Paying Fair guidelines
- Requests cost information for pursuing Suspended Committal Orders against low-debt cases
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Alistair Carmichael MP, Ruth Jefferson, Helena Dollimore MP, Wessex Water, Consumer Council for Water, Ofwat, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
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
“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.”
“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 ↗