5 January 2026
Dear Sam,
Thank you for your letter of 19 December regarding the publication of Consumer Scotland's report titled 'Affordability of water and sewerage charges: 2025'. The key findings have helped inform the development of the draft Principles of Charging for the SR27 period.
We recognise that there are challenges in the water sector in balancing investment needs and costs to consumers over the upcoming SR27 regulatory period (2027-2033). Affordability measures perform a key role in striking that balance - and over half of households in Scotland receive reductions in their water charges. The decisions on the affordability measures for the SR27 period will be taken in the context of increasing costs for all customers.
The Government will be consulting on the draft Principle of Charging in January, including the measures to support the affordability of water charges, such as the WCRS. I would welcome Consumer Scotland's response to that consultation. The final decisions on the Principles of Charging (and other
aspects of SR27) will be for the new Administration in the Autumn.
Responses to the upcoming consultation and Consumers Scotland's report however will help to inform that decision.
Yours sincerely
GILLIAN MARTIN