Actors Jane Asher, Sheila Reid, Sue Holderness and Vincent Ebrahim are calling on the UK Government to introduce a single water social tariff, as concern grows over the number of older people on low incomes struggling to afford their water bills.
The stars have teamed up with the national charity for older people in financial hardship Independent Age to support a petition urging the Government to end the current postcode lottery of water bill support across England and Wales. While every water company offers some form of social tariff to support customers on a low income with paying their water bill, eligibility and levels of support vary significantly depending on where someone lives, leaving many older people facing unfair and inconsistent help.
A single social tariff would end this current postcode lottery of support and ensure water affordability support is fair and consistent across England and Wales.
Rising household costs are forcing many older people living on low incomes to cut back on essential water use. Independent Age has heard from people who are limiting showers, avoiding baths, reducing laundry and worrying about everyday water use because they simply cannot afford their bills.
Latest national YouGov polling commissioned by the charity found that around one in five people (22%) in England and Wales are cutting down on water usage due to cost, with 33% of this group saying it is negatively impacting their health*.
Stage and screen star Jane Asher, of ‘The Mistress’ and ‘Deep Fakes’, said:
“It’s miserable and wrong that any older people at all are struggling to find enough money to pay for the water they need; what makes it even harder to understand is that the help they deserve is given to some and not others, purely depending on where they live. This is cruel and unnecessary: once the principle is established that no older person should go short of this most basic need, then the help to provide it must be available to all who qualify, regardless to where they live.”
Sheila Reid, star of ITV’s award-winning ‘Benidorm’ and the Royal National Theatre, said:
“As we are all composed of approximately 50% water, surely we should all pay the same for it! Wherever we live.“
Actress Sue Holderness, television icon from ‘Only Fools and Horses’ and ‘The Madame Blanc Mysteries’, said:
“In 2026, because of the postcode lottery, there are older people that are going without because they can’t afford their water bills. This is unacceptable. The postcode lottery must end and we need to do more to support everyone who is struggling to pay their bills, regardless of where they live.”
Award-winning actor Vincent Ebrahim, of ITV’s ‘Coronation Street’ and BBC’s ‘The Kumars at No. 42’, said:
“No older person should be falling into poverty because they cannot pay for the water they need. I am supporting Independent Age’s call for a single social water tariff
because how much you pay for water, and the support you get when you’re struggling depends entirely on where you live.”
A single water social tariff would create a fairer system by ensuring people on low incomes receive consistent financial support with their water bills regardless of where they live or which water company supplies their home.
Water is an essential service that no one can go without. Yet many people experiencing financial hardship are being forced to ration their water use or make impossible choices between paying their water bill and covering other essential living costs.
Margaret, 80, who relies solely on her State Pension, said:
“To keep our water bills down, we only take quick showers – never baths – and we try not to let the water run for more than three minutes. We rely solely on our State Pension, and we’re living on the breadline.”
Independent Age is calling on the UK Government to introduce a single water social tariff that would replace the current patchwork of schemes and ensure fair, reliable support for everyone on a low income across England and Wales.
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said:
“Thank you to Jane, Sheila, Sue and Vincent for supporting our campaign for a single water social tariff.
“No one should have to cut back on washing themselves, doing their laundry or using water because they cannot afford their bills. Yet this is the reality for too many older people living on low incomes.
“The current system is unfair. Nearly 750,000 pensioner households may currently be experiencing water poverty. This could rise to one million by 2029/30. A single water social tariff would ensure everyone who needs help receives it, wherever they live.
“Water is not a luxury – it is essential for health, dignity and independence. We are urging the UK Government to introduce a fair national scheme and asking the public to support our petition.”
Independent Age is encouraging members of the public to sign its petition calling on the UK Government to introduce a single water social tariff and help ensure everyone on a low income can afford this essential service.