Around £886,000 is set to be cut from the bills of the most vulnerable people in Portsmouth, thanks to a partnership between Portsmouth City Council and Southern Water.

The council has provided Southern Water with the details of just over 5,000 residents on low incomes or in receipt of benefits who have been found to be eligible for a discount on their bills, as part of a data sharing agreement to save people money.

All Portsmouth customers who qualify for the cheaper Essentials tariff payment scheme will automatically be moved across. They will have their bills reduced by an average of £177 a year, and Southern Water will be writing to those who have been switched.

The tariff is designed to help customers who are struggling to pay by providing a discount of at least 45% for low-income households in receipt of Council Tax Support.

It’s part of Portsmouth City Council’s ongoing work to support residents with the cost of living, which includes:

• Awarding £245,200 to 1,414 low-income pensioner households through our one-off Portsmouth Older Persons’ Energy Payment scheme
• Hardship payments for daily costs like food and energy bills through the UK Government-funded Household Support Fund, which is extended for another 12 months.
• The local Council Tax Support Scheme for households eligible for a discount
• Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme extended by another 12 months and expanded to more children
• The council’s cost of living hub and phone number, offering free money advice for all
• Switched on Portsmouth providing free energy and money saving advice

Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: “We are committed to exploring every avenue possible to save Portsmouth residents money, because rising costs continue to impact people’s quality of life. Through this proactive partnership with Southern Water, we have been able to help another 5,000 save a collective £886,000, which is a really significant individual saving. We will be offering more one-off payment schemes to help the most vulnerable to pay for bills and food, and I would urge anyone who needs advice and support around money to call our cost of living hub.”

Nicky Chitty, Southern Water’s affordability and vulnerability lead, said: “We are delighted to be working together with colleagues at Portsmouth so that no households miss out on the support they may be entitled to. By joining our Essentials tariff, these customers will automatically receive a minimum discount of 45% off their bills.