A GOVERNMENT minister has indicated that data about people

on low-wages in Plymouth could be shared with a water company

to help them pay soaring bills, writes political correspondent

Nick Lester.

The move would be aimed at making it easier for South West

Water to target assistance at the poorest households struggling

to cope with rocketing charges.

It would be in line with similar proposals for information

to be shared with energy companies to help low-income families

with their fuel bills.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas has indicated plans could

be included in forthcoming legislation that promises

long-awaited help for householders faced with burgeoning

bills.

The draft Floods and Water Bill would implement the

recommendations of a review of water charges announced by the

Government earlier this year that will look at metering and

different pricing plans in a drive to cut water usage and

ensure a fairer payment system.

It follows a warning by Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton Linda

Gilroy that action on water charges was “long overdue”.

She told fellow MP in a Commons debate that South West Water

would like similar access to data about people on low incomes

as that being proposed for energy companies.

Last year, average bills for homes with meters in the South

West rocketed by 12.5 per cent to £378, and soared by 16.1 per

cent for unmetered households to £650. The average bill in

London is £275.

On the issue of data-sharing, Mr Woolas said: “I do indeed

recognise the importance of data sharing. I have talked to the

water companies, including South West Water, to see how we can

incorporate that.

“I refer her to the draft Queen's Speech, which included a

proposal for legislation on water and flooding. I make no

specific pledges on the point that she made; suffice to say

that I think she can draw her own conclusions.”

A spokesman for South West Water said: “Potentially, if we

were able to share information with government agencies

concerning some benefits, this would help us reach people

quickly who might benefit from our assistance schemes such as

the WaterSure tariff or our own WaterCare programme.”

The firm currently had to advertise or use its own records

to try and encourage people to apply, he said.