Benefits claimants exempt from hosepipe ban sparks row
A row has erupted after it emerged that benefits claimants are exempt from the hosepipe ban, with critics accusing the government of creating a two-tier system.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A row has broken out after it emerged that benefits claimants are exempt from the hosepipe ban imposed by two water companies in southern England. Southern Water and Affinity Water introduced the ban on Friday as temperatures soared, but thousands of customers on a so-called 'WaterSure' tariff are allowed to ignore the restrictions. The scheme caps water bills for low-income households and those who use large amounts of water for essential needs. To qualify, applicants must be on benefits and have either three or more children under 19 in full-time education, or someone in the household with a medical condition that requires significant water use. However, those who use sprinklers or fill ponds and swimming pools are not eligible.
Critics have accused the water companies of creating a two-tier system, arguing that working people who pay their water bills are being punished while those on benefits are given a free pass. The Daily Telegraph front page highlighted the story, describing it as 'no hosepipe ban if you're on benefit'. The debate has been fuelled by a wider frustration over water companies losing billions of gallons through leaky pipes, with some questioning why restrictions are needed at all in a first-world country.
Supporters of the exemption point out that it is designed to help disabled people and those with medical needs who may find it difficult to use a watering can. Cambridge Water has introduced a similar exemption specifically for customers whose disability makes using a watering can very difficult. The row reflects a broader tension between fairness and practicality in managing water resources during a heatwave.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | GB News |
|---|---|
| Water companies accused of two-tier restrictions for allowing families on benefits to flout water restrictions via a scheme that caps bills for low-income households. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
GB News focused on the perceived unfairness of the exemption, framing it as a 'two-tier' system that punishes working people. The presenters expressed outrage and used emotive language such as 'two-tier gardening' and 'how dare they do this'. The discussion also touched on broader grievances about taxes and water company inefficiency.
- “it's two-tier gardening. I mean, how dare they do this?”
- “it's outrageous, you know, it's two-tier gardening.”
- “this just seems a bit weird. I know Carol, this just seems a bit weird.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.