Water poverty in England and Wales

Bradshaw, J.; Huby, M.

Abstract

Water poverty is conventionally defined as households spending more than 3% and 5% of their net income after housing costs on water. Water bills have risen faster than general prices and faster than earnings since privatisation. In 2009/10, 23.6% of households paying for water in England and Wales were spending more than 3% of their income on water and sewerage and 11.5% were spending more than 5% of their income. The article explores variation in water poverty and prospects for the future. If water bills rise 1% per year faster than household income, water poverty will increase to 35% by 2033 based on a 3% definition. Policy options are discussed.

Citation

Bradshaw, J., & Huby, M. (2013). Water poverty in England and Wales. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 21(2), 137-148. https://doi.org/10.1332/175982713x669835

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: Jul 31, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 24, 2014
• Journal: Journal of Poverty and Social Justice
• Print ISSN: 1759-8273
• Electronic ISSN: 1759-8281
• Publisher: Bristol University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 137-148
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/175982713x669835
• Keywords: Water charges, Water poverty.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1480164