Committee publication · Correspondence · 26 November 2025
Correspondence to Severn Trent 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 Severn Trent Water 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 on water sector reform, which flagged rising water poverty and inadequate support for customers in arrears.
Key findings
- Committee expressed concerns in recent report about rising water poverty, increased bills, lack of single social tariff, and low public awareness of available support
- Letter requests full disclosure of company policies on enforcement measures including bailiffs, Orders to Obtain Information, and Suspended Committal Orders
- Committee asks for data on enforcement actions since 2010: number of bailiff visits, SCOs sought and granted, debts under £1,000, cases involving means-tested benefit recipients
- Requests information on complaints to Consumer Council for Water regarding enforcement actions and non-compliance with Ofwat's Paying Fair guidelines
- Seeks disclosure of costs associated with pursuing SCOs against customers with debts under £1,000
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Alistair Carmichael MP, Liv Garfield, Helena Dollimore MP, Severn Trent Water, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Consumer Council for Water, Ofwat
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.”
“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 ↗