Council and SevernTrent look to cut water bills amid squeeze

A WATER rebate could soon be introduced to residents within Birmingham as the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze households.

Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward has revealed talks are under way with Severn Trent to cut water bills for some of the city’s poorest households.

The aim is to secure a reduction for residents currently in receipt of Universal Credit.

It comes as 157,637 (17.8%) of Birmingham’s

population, roughly 1.1 million, were on Universal Credit in February this year compared with 88,568 people (10%) in February 2020, according to government figures.

Water UK, the industry body, said bills would rise by an average of 1.7% in England and Wales from April, pushing up the typical annual bill by roughly £7 to £419 a year.

Although many households qualify for a social water tariff, which can save about £148 a year from the average bill, many customers who cannot afford their water bill are not receiving the financial support they need.

Both Severn Trent and Birmingham City Council have ambitions to help thousands of people out of poverty with East Birmingham seen as a potential area for intervention and support.

If talks are successful with Severn Trent, the scheme will be one of the first council-led water rebate schemes in England and Wales. It comes as 85 per cent of wards in East Birmingham, including Hodge Hill, Washwood Heath, and Ward End, are within the top 10 per cent most deprived wards in England.

Liv Garfield, chief executive, Severn Trent said: “We’re looking forward to working with Birmingham City Council to ensure that those across the city that need extra help can get it.

“We’ve got schemes to support customers with bills which are available through our website and very soon we’ll be sharing details of more support that we will be making available.”

Liam Byrne, MP for Hodge Hill, said: “Thank god Birmingham City Council is stepping in where the government has failed to act. It’s the right time as families are sacrificing so much to make ends meet. This’ll make a vital bit of difference.”