Charity warns over water charges

antrim | anti-capitalism | other press Wednesday September 22, 2004 14:53 by pat c

Charity warns over water charges
The government's plans to introduce water charges in Northern Ireland will push many older people and families on low incomes further into poverty, a charity has warned.
Help the Aged is calling for those entitled to pension credit to be exempt.

Pat Austin from the charity said the current proposal for a 25% rebate would leave many pensioners struggling.

"The 25% discount definitely doesn't go far enough," she said.

"We already know that older people don't pick up means-tested benefits, and again it is a system which is reliant on that.

"At a time when the government is introducing pensions credit, they are giving it with one hand and taking away with the other."

Charges

Earlier this month, it was announced that most Northern Ireland households could expect to pay up to £415 per year in water charges.

The average household will pay £115 from April 2006, that will rise to £340 in 2008.

Minister of State John Spellar said charges would vary according to property value, but would be capped at £750, with the lowest household charge about £150.

Household water and sewerage charges will consist of a standing charge of around £55 each for water and for sewerage, plus an element based on property value.

Charges will be phased in with customers paying one-third of the annual charge in the first year, and two-thirds of the annual charge in the second year following their introduction.

Charges will apply to all domestic properties, whether owner-occupied or rented, with the costs for water supply and sewerage services indicated separately in bills.