If the Secretary of State considers it desirable to do so, the Secretary of State may give financial assistance for the purpose in subsection (2) to—
The purpose is that of securing the reduction of charges payable by customers in an English undertaker's area for the supply of water or the provision of sewerage services.
The power in subsection (1) may be exercised in relation to all customers in an English undertaker's area or customers of a particular description.
Financial assistance under subsection (1) may be given in any form and in particular may be given by way of—
Financial assistance under subsection (1) may be given on such terms and conditions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
Financial assistance under subsection (1) may be given in any manner and in particular may be given—
A reference in this section to a customer in an English undertaker's area is a reference to—
In this section a reference to the retail authorisation of a water supply licensee or of a sewerage licensee is to be construed in accordance with Schedule 2A or Schedule 2B, as the case may be.
In this section "English undertaker" means a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker whose area is wholly or mainly in England.