Benefit claimants exempt from hosepipe bans – ‘lunacy in Labour’s two-tier Britain’ | UK | News

Help seekers have reportedly been given permission to ignore mandatory cyclone bans during the current drought restrictions in the south of England. While millions of Southern Water and Affinity Water customers have faced fines since Friday to address water shortages, thousands of people on WaterSure tariffs remain free to use water.

In Hampshire, where three 34-degree heatwaves have scorched lawns this summer, the rules do not apply equally to all households. Local residents noted the sharp contrast between neighbors. Mum-of-two Sarah Thompson, who works in Fareham, said: Telegram: “We paid our water bills in full every month, cut back on everything and now we can’t even fill a watering can without worrying about a £1,000 fine.”

A neighbor with three children on Universal Credit and a household member with a health condition faced no restrictions, running a sprinkler and filling the children’s pool, he said.

The operational standoff has sparked anger at what critics call a “two-tiered Britain”.

The WaterSure scheme, expanded by Labor this year, caps the bills of low-income households with large families or significant medical water needs. Applicants must claim benefits such as Universal Credit or housing benefit.

Those who abuse this for non-essential ponds or pools are technically ineligible, but enforcement appears to be lax.

More than 250,000 households nationally use this plan, with thousands more covered by Southern and Affinity.

Suella Braverman, Reform MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, said: “How ridiculous has this country become when you have to use benefits to use water?

“This is absurd and another act of madness in Labour’s two-tier Britain, where perseverance and hard work are punished. Many will rightly ask what’s the point in working when you can get so many benefits for free.”

Conservatives also attacked the policy. Party leader Kevin Hollinrake said: “It is not credible that people who get discounts on their water bills at the expense of others are exempt from this hose ban.

“Of course, those who are disabled or have a real need should be able to use the hose. However, the exemption of those who apply for social assistance and the fact that those who pay their bills in full will face restrictions will deal a blow to the hose.”

Labour’s reform, introduced by Tony Blair in 1999, eliminated red tape, including the requirement for a doctor’s note.

This added a further 53,000 people, taking the eligible number to over 300,000 and saving buyers an average of £325 a year.

Other water companies limit exemptions more tightly to Blue Badge holders or Priority Services Registration customers.

An Affinity Water spokesperson said: “WaterSure supports customers with basic needs who need to use more water, such as those with certain medical conditions. “We recognize that different customers need different types of support and we work to understand their circumstances and provide the right type of help where it is needed.

“We highlighted in our communications that over 85 percent of WaterSure customers are registered as Priority Services Registration customers, and we wanted to make it simple and clear where exemptions apply and where support is available.”

A Southern Water spokesperson added: “The WaterSure tariff supports customers with higher essential water usage for a variety of reasons, from large families to disability and mobility issues. Some qualify for more than one reason.”

“Rather than introducing a complex process that could create confusion and anxiety among the more vulnerable, we have communicated to everyone using this tariff in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that the current cyclone restrictions do not apply to them.

“Our messaging makes it clear that we expect these customers to use water wisely, and we’ve provided advice on how they can reduce their water use without affecting their basic needs. Even small changes make a big difference, and we’re grateful to all our customers for their support in helping protect the environment and keep the taps flowing.”