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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to question no hosepipe ban exemption for people on benefits?

454 replies

Crosorbled · 14/07/2026 14:14

No hosepipe ban for people on benefits .

OP posts:
5128gap · 15/07/2026 12:36

Squirrelsarecleverbastards · 15/07/2026 11:49

Would you mind going through my posts to quote back at me exactly where I have been doffing my cap at the water companies?

I have been critical of the water companies and their handling of water supplies.

Is there a reason you thought I was talking about you personally? I didn't quote you or address you. So if the cap doesn't fit, you don't need to doff it.

Itchthescratch · 15/07/2026 12:36

MargoLivebetter · 15/07/2026 12:26

@Itchthescratch no, I genuinely don't know why people are focussing the unfair aspect of this on whether or not the hosepipe ban applies to someone with or without children or with or without a disability or with or without benefits. As I have tried to explain I think it is absurd and ridiculous - period. It is unenforceable and is pointless.

It should be possible in a country where people weren't encourage to begrudge their neighbour a few more drops of water than they have to say -

"We the water companies have fucked up, really badly and we are really sorry but everyone now has to suffer as a result.

We are therefore asking everyone to be very careful of their water consumption. We want you all not to use hosepipes unless it is absolutely necessary and as you are all adults, even though we are incompetent, we think that you should be able to use your best judgement here to know what is necessary and what isn't.

We have absolutely no way of enforcing our request, but once again, even though we are incompetent, we hope that you the bill payers will be obliging and and will help us out here, so that you can all continue to drink water until it rains again."

If that's truly your attitude then you wouldn't have an issue with only banning those that claim benefits from using a hosepipe? You wouldn't think the messaging and wider implications of this would mean anything if the ban itself is meaningless?

Squirrelsarecleverbastards · 15/07/2026 12:37

5128gap · 15/07/2026 12:36

Is there a reason you thought I was talking about you personally? I didn't quote you or address you. So if the cap doesn't fit, you don't need to doff it.

That’s a no, then.

MargoLivebetter · 15/07/2026 12:38

@Itchthescratch good luck with your bans!

5128gap · 15/07/2026 13:00

Squirrelsarecleverbastards · 15/07/2026 12:37

That’s a no, then.

Its exactly what I said. Because, without being rude, I've no idea of what your specific contribution has been on this thread. I didn't single you out with my comment and I'm not going to single you out to read all your posts. You are just one of many contributers to the thread. If you personally had said something that grabbed my attention I'd have addressed you already. I'm at something of a loss as to why you think everything is about you.

Squirrelsarecleverbastards · 15/07/2026 13:11

5128gap · 15/07/2026 13:00

Its exactly what I said. Because, without being rude, I've no idea of what your specific contribution has been on this thread. I didn't single you out with my comment and I'm not going to single you out to read all your posts. You are just one of many contributers to the thread. If you personally had said something that grabbed my attention I'd have addressed you already. I'm at something of a loss as to why you think everything is about you.

Still a no.

MaturingCheeseball · 15/07/2026 13:38

I would have said, “Due to blah blah a hosepipe ban is in effect from midnight. Those with a disability exemption who are not able to lift buckets may use a hose to water their plants. No one may use a hose to fill pools or wash their car, nor use a lawn sprinkler.”

TheJuryIsOut · 15/07/2026 13:54

ThePieceHall · 15/07/2026 06:12

Not if you’re in Yorkshire as that’s north and we absolutely have. Which is a massive piss take given how much it rains.

I mean the proper North 😉

ClarkeandNewman · 15/07/2026 14:19

Itchthescratch · 15/07/2026 11:55

You suggested that the register would have to be updated to filter out specific groups as if it shouldn't be updated already. I am not misconstruing what you were suggesting. The onus is on the individual to update the register.

Why do you think a filtered system would be costly in regards to a hosepipe ban? You just literally filter on for example 'families with children under 5' to identify who isn't exempt. This would then be communicated to the customer via the normal channels. I don't see where you think all this additional cost comes in. The data is already available.

I think you may be overestimating the extent of people's commitment to the priority register!

Anyway what you suggest is unnecessarily convoluted, so unfortunately, you might have to accept that some people whom you see as undeserving may, nevertheless, be able to make free with their hosepipes this summer.

angelos02 · 15/07/2026 14:25

MaturingCheeseball · 15/07/2026 13:38

I would have said, “Due to blah blah a hosepipe ban is in effect from midnight. Those with a disability exemption who are not able to lift buckets may use a hose to water their plants. No one may use a hose to fill pools or wash their car, nor use a lawn sprinkler.”

This. If people that on benefits can fill their paddling pool or wash their car, why shouldn't people that aren't? It makes no sense. It is so arbitrary. Why not people with a ban those whose surname is in the second half of the alphabet? Utter nonsense.

EasternStandard · 15/07/2026 15:03

MaturingCheeseball · 15/07/2026 13:38

I would have said, “Due to blah blah a hosepipe ban is in effect from midnight. Those with a disability exemption who are not able to lift buckets may use a hose to water their plants. No one may use a hose to fill pools or wash their car, nor use a lawn sprinkler.”

I’m not sure why people would object to that version.

DinoLil · 15/07/2026 15:03

I'm exempt due to disability.

I don't have a hosepipe.

Mespher · 15/07/2026 15:04

I’m on the national grid priority register, no idea how or why, I didn’t do it, I just got an email just after I retired to say I was on it, I couldn’t see any easy way to get off it so just left it. BG also asked me if I wanted to be on it as I was a pensioner, I said no as didn’t see the need so the people on the water one may just be pensioners

Tableforjoan · 15/07/2026 16:26

Mespher · 15/07/2026 15:04

I’m on the national grid priority register, no idea how or why, I didn’t do it, I just got an email just after I retired to say I was on it, I couldn’t see any easy way to get off it so just left it. BG also asked me if I wanted to be on it as I was a pensioner, I said no as didn’t see the need so the people on the water one may just be pensioners

We are on it as well no idea how or why just happened when we moved into this house. Dh gets texts about all the power cuts as they happen or expected to happen with assurances about getting us back up asap.

No pensioners in the house and no medical need for extra electric either.

ThePieceHall · 15/07/2026 18:12

TheJuryIsOut · 15/07/2026 13:54

I mean the proper North 😉

Fighting talk, Brave Heart!

ThePieceHall · 15/07/2026 18:15

MaturingCheeseball · 15/07/2026 13:38

I would have said, “Due to blah blah a hosepipe ban is in effect from midnight. Those with a disability exemption who are not able to lift buckets may use a hose to water their plants. No one may use a hose to fill pools or wash their car, nor use a lawn sprinkler.”

Why the heck are plants more important than the other things? Your shrubs and pots are no more important than a kid’s paddling pool. This is just middle-class entitlement; my needs are more socially acceptable than yours.

frozendaisy · 15/07/2026 18:23

Carrying water in a watering can is good exercise

would much rather be able and do that than be so disabled I was unable to

doing jobs which are physical is a not inconsiderable contribution to a long and healthier life

and if we all take the piss with water use in time there will be timed shut offs disabled or not, plants or paddling pools or not

MoonWoman69 · 15/07/2026 18:35

We have an exemption, I can't work, I don't get any benefits, as my husband works full time and supports us both.
I am classed as clinically vulnerable, so our water company sent us an exemption. I assume the GPs surgery passed my details on, as I didn't have a clue about it until I received an email.
So where do I stand in your complaint then? You'd have to have good reason to be given an exemption, so if people have one, there must be a reason for it which, quite frankly, is none of your business.

MammarOfOne · 15/07/2026 18:38

Silverbirchleaf · 14/07/2026 14:26

The headlines are misleading. It’s not automatically for everyone on benefits. It’s for those on the ‘Watersure scheme’.

So it’s people on certain benefits who need have a high demand for water, eg for medical needs or have three or more children, and have a water meter.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/

Edited

Stop giving people facts, they won’t be able to be outraged by ‘scroungers’ and you’ll ruin their day. 😉

TheTruthWillSetYouFreeMaybe · 15/07/2026 18:44

My question would be - is there a potential water shortage or not? That’s the reason for any hosepipe ban surely ? In that case I would think we all need to conserve water - not just some. Can’t understand the logic

EasternStandard · 15/07/2026 18:52

MammarOfOne · 15/07/2026 18:38

Stop giving people facts, they won’t be able to be outraged by ‘scroungers’ and you’ll ruin their day. 😉

This is known though.

Tableforjoan · 15/07/2026 18:52

TheTruthWillSetYouFreeMaybe · 15/07/2026 18:44

My question would be - is there a potential water shortage or not? That’s the reason for any hosepipe ban surely ? In that case I would think we all need to conserve water - not just some. Can’t understand the logic

I too am watching to see if we go upto the next level ban.

Checking the long forecast still shows no rain till the end of the month

SP2024 · 15/07/2026 18:56

I’m not sure I get the blanket exemption for those on the priority services register. Anyone with kids under 5 can be on it, so applies to me (and I’m on it) but I don’t see why I should be able to use my hosepipe just because of that. Perfectly capable of using a watering can!

venus7 · 15/07/2026 18:58

angelos02 · 14/07/2026 14:23

Nothing this government does surprises me anymore. Everything they do seems to be against people that work! Unless you need more water for medical equipment - that is the only reason I can fathom. Why does someone have more right to fill a paddling pool or water their garden than anyone else? I literally can't think of a reason.

Please don't blame the government for the actions of privatised water companies.

ladylioness · 15/07/2026 19:00

I think it’s only people who are disabled that are exempt, which I can understand and agree with. I know a few who could not carry a watering can.