Plans for a Water Ombudsman and new regulator announced

MSE_Emily

A range of measures designed to help households with their water bills – including plans to launch a Water Ombudsman – have been announced by the Government. But MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis says the lack of a national social tariff among these is a "mistake" – he's suggested a halfway house compromise...

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Plans for a Water Ombudsman and new regulator announced – but Martin Lewis says it's a 'mistake' not to create a national social tariff

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born_again

More of the same toothless regulator at a guess. 

MattMattMattUK

There is no need for an ombudsman and there is already a regulator that is largely hamstrung by having to follow the restrictive prescriptions of the minister/government. 

As for social tariffs they are an absolutely abysmal idea, they have huge issues, they create cliff edges and we already have a system for social engineering, the welfare state, if people on benefits are unable to afford their water bills because of genuine financial constraints then increase benefits, not break the water supply billing.

QrizB

People generally have fewer disputes with their water supplier as (for domestic supplies) they're stuck with the incumbents so you don't get startups trying to move fast and break things like you do with energy.

Social tariffs are a poor substitute for a properly-designed and -funded benefit system, IMHO. An excuse to us utility bills for something that should really be funded via general taxation.