Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George has sponsored an event with the Consumer Council for Water, Ofwat and Water companies in the Senedd to address the sharp rise in water bills.
Montgomeryshire MS Russell George has discussed the potential long-term reform in water pricing, during a meeting with the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) at a Senedd event he hosted this week (29 April 2025).
The event brought together stakeholders including the regulator, Ofwat, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Welsh Water, and the Consumer Council for Water and was convened by Mr George in response to mounting concerns over the steep and sudden rise in household and business water bills across Wales.
The Consumer Council for Water is the independent voice for water consumers in England and Wales. They exist to help consumers resolve complaints against water companies.
A major outcome from the event was Mr George's interest in exploring further the Consumer Council for Water’s call for a single, consistent social tariff across England and Wales. This model, according to the CCW, would offer targeted financial support based on need, rather than postcode, and aims to cap water bills at no more than 5% of a household’s income after housing costs.
A single social tariff is a standardised discount or support scheme for water bills that would apply consistently across all water companies in a region or country, rather than varying depending on which water provider a customer has. The CCW say that an England and Wales Single Social Tariff could end the postcode lottery of water bills. Mr George called the discussions constructive and would like to see further investigation into the proposals.
The MS has previously called the recent sharp rise in water bills “completely unacceptable” and has taken steps to demand accountability and support for struggling households and businesses. In response to widespread concern from constituents, the Senedd member has met with both Ofwat, the UK’s water industry regulator and local water provider Hafren Dyfrdwy, to challenge the dramatic increases and raise individual case studies.
Previously, during Mr George’s meetings with Hafren Dyfrdwy, the Senedd member cited examples of a working family with a disabled child whose bill has surged from £397 in 2020-21 to a projected £945 in 2025-26, and an elderly couple facing a 46% increase this year alone. A local business also reported a staggering 52% rise in charges.
In discussions, Ofwat claimed that the steep bill increases were necessary to fund critical infrastructure upgrades. However, Hafren Dyfrdwy confirmed that even after these projects are completed, bills are unlikely to fall, as future payments will be used to service borrowing costs and ongoing maintenance. Mr George challenged this rationale, calling for greater long-term affordability and transparency in pricing.
Russell George MS is continuing to gather evidence from residents and businesses to press for further accountability. Anyone affected by sudden water bill increases is encouraged to get in touch and share their experience.
Commenting, after hosting the Senedd event, Mr George said:
‘’I sponsored this event in order to allow Senedd members to scrutinise water companies about the recent sharp rises in constituents’ bills.
‘’One positive outcome was talking with staff from the Consumer Council for Water about what support is available and the single social tariff between England and Wales. The recommendation for a single social tariff is an interesting concept and I would like to see further work in this area to see if it would be beneficial for the people of Montgomeryshire.
‘’The CCW has an advice hub that has information and useful tools to help people reduce bills or access financial support, including advice on the different types of schemes that water companies provide.
“I am committed to continuing discussion with all parties involved, including the Government, to ensure we deal with the recent sharp rise in water bills which are completely unacceptable.”
