HC Deb 14 February 1986 vol 91 cc599-600W
Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the implications for the future type and scale of benefits available to assist low income families with the payment of water rates of the proposed legislation to privatise water authorities.

Mr. Newton

The Government believe that their proposals for the privatisation of the water industry will lead to an improved and more efficient service for all consumers, including low income households. Expenditure on water rates will be taken into account in setting benefit rates for the new income support scheme proposed in the White Paper "Reform of Social Security: Programme for Action" (Cmnd 9691).

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