Anti-Poverty campaigner steps up pressure on Hafren Dyfrdwy
There is widespread anger across the area after the bills started to arrive last month, with our local water provider going against OfWat guidance and introducing the startling increases of up to 50%.
They say it is to pay for new infrastructure costing up £260 million over the next five years, but they haven’t answered the questions we have sent them three weeks back, including whether the bills will return to last year’s prices once the work is completed.
MP Steve Witherden and MS Russell George, who praised us for holding them to account and has met the water chiefs, say they are both inundated with complaints.
And now Cllr Jones, who stepped up immediately last month to support our efforts, has issued an open letter to Hafren Dyfrdwy which we have carried below.
As soon as we receive any update from the water company, we will publish it.
Cllr Joy Jones, Powys Anti-poverty Champion:
Dear Hafren Dyfrdwy,
As the anti-Poverty Champion for Powys , I feel compelled to address the deeply troubling increases in water bills recently imposed on your customers.
At a time when many families are struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, this decision appears insensitive to the challenges faced by hardworking individuals who depend on your essential services.
Water is not a luxury—it is a basic necessity of life. Yet, customers have no alternative providers to turn to. This lack of competition places an even greater responsibility on Hafren Dyfrdwy to act fairly and compassionately toward its customers.
Sadly, the recent changes risk driving many households into financial hardship, with potentially devastating consequences. While I acknowledge the availability of support schemes, the eligibility criteria often exclude families who need assistance the most.
Those who fall just outside the thresholds for aid are still struggling to cope with rising costs across food, energy, and now water bills. These increases are simply too overwhelming for many to manage, pushing countless individuals and families closer to poverty.
I urge Hafren Dyfrdwy and regulators to address these issues urgently and take meaningful action to alleviate the burden on your customers.
Specifically, I call for:
- A review of support eligibility criteria ensuring more customers can access assistance easily and without unnecessary barriers.
- Greater transparency in communicating the rationale behind these price increases and outlining the steps being taken to support affected customers.
- Exploration of fairer pricing models that consider individual circumstances, with adaptable thresholds to reflect the diverse challenges faced by households.
As a councillor, I remain committed to supporting residents impacted by these unfair increases and advocating for a fairer and more compassionate approach.
Together, we can work towards a solution that safeguards families from avoidable financial strain while maintaining access to this essential service.
Sincerely,
Joy Jones
Anti-Poverty Champion for Powys County Council
Councillor for Newtown East
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