Benefits claimants given permission to ignore hosepipe bans as water companies accused of 'two-tier' restrictions

Households receiving benefits have been granted exemptions from hosepipe bans currently in force across parts of England, sparking accusations of unfair treatment from politicians.

Southern Water and Affinity Water, whose restrictions came into effect on Friday, are permitting customers enrolled in the WaterSure tariff scheme to continue using hosepipes while more than five million other customers must comply with the ban.

The exemption policy has drawn criticism from both Reform and Conservative MPs, who have labelled the arrangement as creating a "two-tier" system of water restrictions.

Three separate heatwaves reaching 34C this year have prompted the introduction of bans aimed at preventing drought conditions. Those who breach the restrictions face potential fines of up to £1,000, and water companies are urging customers to report violations.

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The WaterSure tariff provides capped bills for households on low incomes who require substantial water usage for essential purposes. To qualify, applicants must be in receipt of benefits and meet additional criteria.

Eligible households must either include three or more children under 19 who are in full-time education, or have a resident with a medical condition necessitating significant water consumption.

The scheme covers those claiming a range of benefits, including universal credit, pension credit, housing benefit and income-based jobseeker's allowance. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, participants can save approximately £325 annually on their water bills.

Importantly, those who use hosepipes for filling swimming pools, ponds or operating sprinklers are not eligible for the tariff scheme.

Suella Braverman, the Reform MP representing Fareham and Waterlooville in Hampshire, blasted the exemption policy.

"How ridiculous has this country become when you have to be on benefits to use water?" she said.

"It's absurd and another act of lunacy in Labour's two-tier Britain where aspiration and hard work are punished. Many people will rightly ask what is the point of working when you can get so many benefits for free."

Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake echoed the criticism, expressing disbelief at the arrangement.

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"It beggars belief that people getting reduced water bills at the expense of everyone else are exempt from this hosepipe ban," he said.

"Of course, those with disabilities or a genuine need should be able to use a hosepipe. But the fact that people claiming welfare are also exempt, while full bill-payers face the restrictions, will come as a kick in the hosepipe."

Southern Water and Affinity Water said the WaterSure exemption was designed to protect disabled customers from potential harm and to prevent confusion over the rules.

Other water providers take different approaches to exemptions.

Cambridge Water restricts its WaterSure-based exemptions to individuals whose disabilities make handling a watering can particularly challenging.

Four additional companies limit exemptions to Blue Badge holders or those registered on the Priority Services Register.

The current Government expanded the WaterSure scheme earlier this year, adding 53,000 new recipients by eliminating the requirement for a doctor's note. This brings total eligibility to over 300,000 people.

The tariff was originally established in 1999 under Tony Blair's administration.

Additional exemptions from hosepipe bans may also be granted for animal welfare, health and safety reasons, or recently planted lawns.

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