Thames claims "record surge" of people applying for its social tariff

Thames Water has reported a “record surge” in the number of its customers receiving reduced bills following a drive to help individuals and families who need extra support.

Thames said more than 14,000 households had applied to be on a new social tariff that will halve their bill – an increase of more than 20 per cent on the previous number on the tariff.

Thames said it was aiming to increase the number of people on social tariffs from the current 76,000 to 200,000. It said it was looking to grow its priority services register to 410,000, up from the current 72,000.