Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T13:20:37.600Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Water Poverty and Social Policy: A review of issues for research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2009

Meg Huby
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Abundant evidence exists to suggest that increasing numbers of people in England and Wales are facing difficulties in paying for water services. The reasons for these difficulties and their consequences are not easy to disentangle yet it is essential to understand them if policies for their alleviation are to be developed in the context of increasing costs of water service provision. This article suggests how social policy research can address the main issues at three levels: first by looking at economic, environmental and political considerations underlying increasing costs, the need for water conservation and changes in charging systems; second, by understanding how ability to pay depends not only on the resulting size of water bills, but also on income levels and access to organisational arrangements to help with payments; and third, by examining the impacts of inability to pay – debt and disconnection – on living standards, health and well-being.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , April 1995 , pp. 219 - 236
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Byatt, I. (1990). ‘The Office of Water Services: structure and policy’. Utilities Law Review, Summer.Google Scholar
DOE (1992), Using Water Wisely. A consultation paper from the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office. 07.Google Scholar
DOE and OFWAT (1992). The Social Impact of Water Metering, Surrey, OFWAT, Birmingham.Google Scholar
Ernst, J. (1992). Whose Utility? The Social Impact of Public Utility Privatisation and Regulation in Britain. D.Phil., thesis. University of York 1994, Open University Press, Public Policy and Management series).Google Scholar
Huby, M. and Due, G. (1992). Evaluating the Social Fund. DSS Research Report No. 9. HMSO. London.Google Scholar
MORI (1992). The Customer Viewpoint. MORI, London.Google Scholar
NACAB (1991). Paying for Water – Response from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, NACAB, London.Google Scholar
NACAB (1992), High and Dry: CAB Evidence on Water Charges. Debt and Disconnection. National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. London.Google Scholar
National Metering Trials Working Group (1989). Water Metering Trials, First Interim Report. Sheffield: Water Services Association.Google Scholar
National Metering Trials Working Group (1993), Water Metering Trials, Final Report. Sheffield: Water Services Association.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1990), Paying for Water A Time for Decisions, OFWAT, Birmingham.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1991). Paying for Water. OPCS Omnibus Surrey, OFWAT, Birmingham.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1992a). Meter Installation Report A survey of customers In the Water Metering Trial Areas. OFWAT. Birmingham.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1992b), Guidelines on Debt and Disconnection, OFWAT, Birmingham.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1993a), Paying for Quality: the Political Perspective, OFWAT, Birmingham.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1993b), Why Water Bills are Rising and How They are Controlled. Information Note No. 3, OFWAT. Birmingham.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1993c). Paying for Growth: a consultation paper on the framework for reflecting the costs of providing the growth In charges, OFWAT, Birmingham.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1993d), Guidelines on Debt and Disconnection – Report on Company Progress 1992–93, OFWAT. Birmingham.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1993e), Services for Elderly or Disabled Customers – A Report on Companies' Progress in Implementing OFWAT Guidelines, OFWAT, Birmingham.Google Scholar
Pearson, M., Rajah, N. and Smith, S. (1993). The Distributional Effects of Different Methods of Charging Households for Water and Sewerage Services, OFWAT. Birmingham.Google Scholar
Perchard, T. (1992a), ‘Water and disconnection’, Adviser, No. 29 01/02.Google Scholar
Perchard, T. (1992b), ‘Water debt and disconnections’, Consumer Policy Review, 2: 1 (01).Google Scholar
Rajah, N. and Smith, S. (1993), ‘Distributional aspects of household water charges’. Fiscal Studies, 14: 3. The Institute for Fiscal Studies, London.Google Scholar
SSAC (1992), Social Security Advisory Committee 8th Report 1992, HMSO. London.Google Scholar
Tunstall, S., Green, C., Sawyer, J. and Herring, M. (1993), Customer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Selected Water and Sewage Services. Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University.Google Scholar

Unpublished References

Association of Metropolitan Authorities (1993), Report on Paying for Water. Social Services Committee, 8 10 1993, SS93 49.Google Scholar
City of Bradford Metropolitan Council (1992), ‘Report of Conference on Water Metering’, 18 09, Bradford.Google Scholar
Fitch, M. (1993). Notes on IFS Water Charges Distribution Study, Family and Community Services Department, Sheffield City Council.Google Scholar
National Consumer Council (1993), ‘Periodic review of price limits’. Seminar, 25 June at the National Consumer Council, London.Google Scholar
NHS (1993). National Health Service Management Executive Health Service Guidelines, HSG (93) 48.Google Scholar
OFWAT (1991). The Director General's comments on publication of the 1990–1 water supply disconnection figures, 17 07.Google Scholar
PUAF (1990a), ‘Report on the activities of the Office of Water Services’, Minutes reporting a speech given by Ian Byatt. the Director General of the Office of Water Services, to the Public Utilities Access Forum, 13 03.Google Scholar
PUAF (1990b). ‘Payment Direct for Water. Electricity and Gas’, A discussion paper produced by the Public Utilities Access Forum, 05.Google Scholar
PUAF (1990c), ‘Water pre-payment metering? The social policy implications’, Public Utilities Access Forum discussion document, 11.Google Scholar
SSAC (1990), ‘Direct deductions and water charges’. Paper to the Secretary of State for Social Security by the Social Security Advisory Committee, 25 10.Google Scholar