Menu
29/05/2003
Water charges will enable £300m investment in services
When fully introduced, water charges will enable the Government to invest over £300 million more in public services every year.
This was the message from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Angela Smith who was speaking following yesterday's meeting between union members and Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street.
A delegation from the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) met with Mr Blair to argue their case against water charges in the province.
They argued that such measures could result in a loss of a many as 600 jobs if current proposals are introduced.
However, Mrs Smith today said that local water charges would give enough money and resources to provide better schools, roads, hospitals as well as a solution to the backlog of investment in water and sewerage services.
The Minister said: “We need to invest heavily in our water and sewerage services - £3 billion over the next 20 years. Investment is starting now, before water charges are introduced. By 2005-06 the Water Service budget will have risen to £313 million, a 37% increase since 2002-03.
“We cannot sustain this planned increase in water and sewerage investment over the long term without starving other services. We face a stark choice – without charges the people of Northern Ireland will be condemned to second class public services.
“Charges will also enable us to have an ongoing revenue stream so that water does not have to compete for investment with other public services, which could lead to similar problems again in the future.”
Commenting on the view that people in Northern Ireland were already paying for their water through the regional rate, the Minister argued that the rate is used to fund all public services and that other funding had to come from general taxation.
She said: “Whatever the view about the funding of water, people in Northern Ireland pay much less than elsewhere in the UK towards public services. We are not asking people to pay if they cannot afford it - nor are we asking people in Northern Ireland to pay more than those in similar circumstances elsewhere.
“The fact is that households here are only paying around £473 on average each year in regional and district rates compared to Scotland where people pay over £1300 per year in Council Tax and water charges.
“This is an essential part of the normalisation of Northern Ireland’s financial system which has been out of step with the rest of the United Kingdom for some time. We have the highest level of public spending and the lowest level of local revenues. We cannot realistically ask taxpayers elsewhere to pay more until we have addressed this disparity.”
The Minister also claimed that in order to make water charges affordable in Northern Ireland, efficiencies would have to be made in the Water Service. Increased investment in new treatment works and advanced technology would lead to greater efficiency and the need for a smaller workforce, she added.
Angela Smith launched the consultation paper, 'The Reform of Water and Sewerage Services in Northern Ireland' on 11 March.
The paper seeks views on a number of issues including which domestic water and sewerage charges should be set; possible business models for a reformed Water Service; and how best to protect the consumer interest.
(MB)
This was the message from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Angela Smith who was speaking following yesterday's meeting between union members and Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street.
A delegation from the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) met with Mr Blair to argue their case against water charges in the province.
They argued that such measures could result in a loss of a many as 600 jobs if current proposals are introduced.
However, Mrs Smith today said that local water charges would give enough money and resources to provide better schools, roads, hospitals as well as a solution to the backlog of investment in water and sewerage services.
The Minister said: “We need to invest heavily in our water and sewerage services - £3 billion over the next 20 years. Investment is starting now, before water charges are introduced. By 2005-06 the Water Service budget will have risen to £313 million, a 37% increase since 2002-03.
“We cannot sustain this planned increase in water and sewerage investment over the long term without starving other services. We face a stark choice – without charges the people of Northern Ireland will be condemned to second class public services.
“Charges will also enable us to have an ongoing revenue stream so that water does not have to compete for investment with other public services, which could lead to similar problems again in the future.”
Commenting on the view that people in Northern Ireland were already paying for their water through the regional rate, the Minister argued that the rate is used to fund all public services and that other funding had to come from general taxation.
She said: “Whatever the view about the funding of water, people in Northern Ireland pay much less than elsewhere in the UK towards public services. We are not asking people to pay if they cannot afford it - nor are we asking people in Northern Ireland to pay more than those in similar circumstances elsewhere.
“The fact is that households here are only paying around £473 on average each year in regional and district rates compared to Scotland where people pay over £1300 per year in Council Tax and water charges.
“This is an essential part of the normalisation of Northern Ireland’s financial system which has been out of step with the rest of the United Kingdom for some time. We have the highest level of public spending and the lowest level of local revenues. We cannot realistically ask taxpayers elsewhere to pay more until we have addressed this disparity.”
The Minister also claimed that in order to make water charges affordable in Northern Ireland, efficiencies would have to be made in the Water Service. Increased investment in new treatment works and advanced technology would lead to greater efficiency and the need for a smaller workforce, she added.
Angela Smith launched the consultation paper, 'The Reform of Water and Sewerage Services in Northern Ireland' on 11 March.
The paper seeks views on a number of issues including which domestic water and sewerage charges should be set; possible business models for a reformed Water Service; and how best to protect the consumer interest.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
02 September 2003
Anti-water charges campaign launched
A campaign aimed at stopping the Government from introducing water charges in Northern Ireland has been launched.
Anti-water charges campaign launched
A campaign aimed at stopping the Government from introducing water charges in Northern Ireland has been launched.
03 October 2023
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
23 September 2022
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
02 November 2010
Builders 'Need Water Charges', Says RICS
A leading construction professional has reacted positively to this week's DUP policy document on dealing with Northern Ireland's financial crisis. However, he also disagreed with the First Minister, Peter Robinson's opposition to water charges.
Builders 'Need Water Charges', Says RICS
A leading construction professional has reacted positively to this week's DUP policy document on dealing with Northern Ireland's financial crisis. However, he also disagreed with the First Minister, Peter Robinson's opposition to water charges.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
