EXEMPTIONS AND RELIEFS ON WATER CHARGES

Early day motion 1347, tabled 21 April 2008 by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative). Signed by 26 members.

That this House expresses its concern about the removal of current exemptions and relief from water charges for churches and charities in 2010; notes that churches will be liable for surface water handling from 2010; further notes that St George's Street Baptist Church in Macclesfield will incur an increase in water charges of more than 480 per cent; recognises the disproportionate financial burden this change to water billing will place on charitable organisations; is disappointed by the lack of consultation and the limited period of time given before changes to water billing are implemented; is further disappointed that these changes are being introduced with the agreement of Ofwat and the Consumer Council for Water; and calls on the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform urgently to investigate the unreasonable impact of water billing changes on churches and charities and to review the decision to remove the current exemptions and relief from water charges in 2010.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, DUP 5, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UKIP 1.