MPs Warn Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom Failing Debt-Hit Households

MPs have warned that Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom are not doing enough to help households struggling with utility bills and debt.

The Public Accounts Committee published its report, Regulation of water, energy and broadband, on Friday 11 September 2026. The committee said it does not have confidence that the regulators are doing enough for consumers in need.

By March 2025, customers’ debt to energy suppliers and water companies totalled £7.2 billion, according to figures cited in the report from National Audit Office evidence. Energy customer debt rose 118% in real terms between March 2021 and March 2025.

Take-up of discounted social tariffs remains low. Only 6% of water customers in England and Wales, and fewer than 9% of eligible broadband customers, are on social tariffs. Policy in Practice estimates that as many as 6.1 million water households and 8.4 million broadband households may be missing related support.

Awareness is also limited. Among people who need financial help from their water company, 39% were aware of social tariffs; in broadband the figure was 34%.

Support registers show a similar gap. Water Priority Services Register take-up stands at 13% of households, while Ofwat has estimated that about half of households could be eligible. The committee called for a multi-sector “tell us once” approach to the Priority Services Register, including telecoms, by September 2028.

Committee chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis, who gave evidence, criticised confusing opt-in support that leaves the burden on struggling households. Regulators were asked to report improvement plans within six months.

The report is educational context on how utility support and debt look for UK households. It is not advice on which tariff, supplier or support scheme to choose.