NEA response to CCW’s Water Affordability Review call for evidence
Date: 15th Dec 2020
![NEA response to CCW’s Water Affordability Review call for evidence](https://www.nea.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/water-poverty-1110x550.jpg?ver=1722345098)
In October 2020, CCW launched a full review of water affordability support at the request of UK and Welsh Government, which is due to publish findings in Spring 2021 (https://www.ccwater.org.uk/affordability-review/). Our June 2020 discussion paper ‘Water Poverty: The Consistency of Social Tariffs’ called for a full review of social tariff guidance, including funding mechanisms, eligibility criteria and support levels (available here). Their review is looking at social tariffs, but also at other financial support available across the industry to identify opportunities to improve the support offered to financially vulnerable households, and this is a welcome development. The review is being guided by a panel of experts and informed by two independently delivered pieces of research: one focused on a series of in-depth interviews with low-income households, and another reviewing cross-sector approaches to effective engagement of customers in affordability support initiatives. Alongside this, stakeholders have been invited to provide their views by attending one of a series of stakeholder events, and by submitting a response to an open call-for-evidence.
This is the biggest opportunity to influence water affordability support in over a decade, and NEA are pleased to submit a thorough response to the call for evidence. NEA will continue to support the water industry to develop further understanding of the issues faced by households struggling with the affordability of water, to contribute to the water affordability review and to implement key findings through the development of accompanying strategies and initiatives.
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