MP challenges minister on family water bills (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

MP challenges minister on family water bills

January 7, 2010 2:44 PM

ON the first day of the committee stage of the Flood and Water Management Bill, Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has used his national role to highlight the plight of less well-off customers. Martin is floods spokesman for the Liberal Democrats.

Martin welcomed the special provision for scouts and other community groups to avoid the so-called 'rain tax' of very high area-based charges in water bills. However the bill is silent on so-called 'social tariffs', designed to offer similar help to the poorest water customers. Social tariffs are currently prevented by the regulatory regime set up by the Conservative government who privatised the water industry.

Martin said 'The rain tax provisions are very welcome but it makes no sense that government is going to introduce a concessionary scheme for scout groups and churches and claim it can't address the much bigger issue of water poverty. Especially when we are facing rising unemployment, it is vital that we offer a helping hand to struggling families who are having to work hard to make ends meet.

'We know that water bills are going to go up with all the new responsibilities being given to water companies, and even they are agree that this is a vital issue that should have been addressed in the bill.

'The Tories left us with an unfair system and Labour have failed to sort it out.'