Thames Water is doubling its Trust Fund donation to £1 million to support customers who are in financial need during the coronavirus pandemic.
The donation includes personal contributions from the company’s chairman, chief finance officer and members of the executive leadership team.
The independent Thames Water Trust Fund, which is funded by the company’s shareholders, provides grants to third sector organisations, such as Citizens Advice Bureau, who offer Thames Water customers long-term support and free debt advice.
It also provides grants for essential household goods, including washing machines, fridges and beds, to customers whose long-term circumstances suggest they will not be able to afford these items.
To further help customers affected by the coronavirus outbreak, Thames Water is providing flexible payment options and committing £4 million this year to its Customer Assistance Fund, which provides one-off grants to help customers pay off arrears on their water bills.
The increase means Thames Water, which supplies water and waste services to 15 million people, will be the largest charitable funder of debt advice, within the Thames Valley region.
Kelly Macfarlane, Thames Water’s customer experience director, said: “Our essential service means we have an important role to play in supporting our communities and we want to make sure any family who has been financially hit by coronavirus has access to free debt advice and one-to-one counselling.
“By doubling our Trust Fund, we’ll be able to donate more to the debt advice providers we work closely with and help our customers who need extra support during these challenging times.”
Linda Perham, chair of the Thames Water Trust Fund, said:
“We are delighted that Thames Water has generously doubled their donation to the Trust Fund so that we can provide more help and support to Thames Water customers coping with debt and disadvantage”.
The Trust Fund donation is just one of Thames Water’s new payment support measures which are available for customers who are struggling financially because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The water company has also introduced a three-month flexible payment plan for those most in need and is encouraging households who are facing immediate or short-term issues with paying their bills, to get in contact so that they can receive help.
Thames is also extending its WaterHelp social tariff, which supports households on low incomes. The scheme offers eligible households a 50 per cent discount on their water bill and currently supports 150,000 Thames Water customers. This will be doubled to 300,000 customers by 2025.
Kelly Macfarlane added:
“With over 150,000 registered customers, our WaterHelp financial support scheme is currently the largest of its kind. We’re committed to providing options for customers who are worried about the cost of their bills and we’re extending this scheme to help 150,000 more customers by 2025.”
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