MPs at the Public Accounts Committee are told that water companies are asking vulnerable customers for details relating to “equivalised income,” a term that some campaigners and committee members do not understand. Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, gives evidence to the committee and says he still does not know what the term means. The issue is raised as part of scrutiny of how water firms assess vulnerability and determine eligibility for support. In coverage of the committee discussion, the focus is on whether the information requested from customers is clear and appropriate, particularly for people who may already be under financial pressure. The reporting indicates that the term is being used by water companies in customer checks, but that explanation of how it works and why it is required has not been provided in a way that is fully understood by witnesses speaking to MPs. The committee’s consideration centers on transparency and whether vulnerable customers are being asked for understandable information during the process of seeking assistance.