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Water Strategy

As it happens, that was exactly where I was about to turn in my remarks, but I wanted to outline the context to some of the targeted measures, because even for a rising block tariff it would probably be necessary for measures to address the needs of the most vulnerable, whether through the benefits system or specific changes in tariffs to affect individuals. Indeed, we know that that would be true for those with disabilities or large families, who may need to use relatively large amounts of water. We need a system sensitive to that. One option is a system that shares data so that water companies can adjust bills according to data from the benefits system, for example. If the Government believe that that is not possible, the regulator has suggested that such households should be able to apply for help. My concern with applying for help is that, as we know, means-tested and application-based systems such as help with council tax are not taken up by many of the most vulnerable. Frankly, though, anything would be better than the current circumstances. As the hon. Gentleman suggests, the possibilities of a rising block tariff are strong. There is a strong consensus about that among most south-west MPs and a lot of interest among MPs throughout the country. I know that the Government are considering it. It would mean that metered households pay an affordable amount for their first block of water. People would pay a set charge and get in return enough water for a normal household for the year, and if they used large amounts of water—if they have a swimming pool or leave their sprinklers on in the garden all through the summer—they would pay much higher charges. It is those later blocks, which would incur higher charges, that add so much to the cost for the water companies. They require a greater draw on reservoirs, higher system capacity and more purification and treatment and waste water. The rising block tariff makes sense from an environmental point of view, it makes sense for charging and, most of all, it makes sense for ordinary hard-pressed families in water bill areas, particularly in the highest-priced area, the south-west. Specific affordability tariffs will be needed for certain groups, and we must consider how best to put those in place. On a particularly bright note, from my point of view, it also means that we would get rid of the situation in which tens of thousands of second home owners in the south-west, realising that they are not at home very much to use water, have fitted water meters and pay next to nothing for their water bills, even though the reason why they are there is to use the beaches that have been so expensively cleaned up. Under rising block tariffs, people would have to pay for the year's water, and therefore for the clean-up of beaches, whether or not they reside there enough to use it. Although opinions may differ on that, it would be given a big thumbs up in our part of the world if the Minister did it. Rising block tariffs would also be extremely good for the environment. The World Wildlife Fund predicts that they could reduce demand by at least 10 per cent. and by up to 30 per cent. in summer. That would cut the cost of treatment, which would lower bills. WWF says:"““We need to move on the issue of water charging and we need to move quickly. There are plenty of ideas on the table, and we need to start making them work for the customer.””"