Menu
08/12/2005
Water charges will be fair and affordable - Woodward
A package of protections which guarantees that eligible low-income households should spend no more than 3% of their income on water charges was unveiled by the Government today.
The new income-based affordability tariff was described by NIO Minster Shaun Woodward as a clear indication of how Government had listened to concerns that charges had to be fair and affordable particularly for the least well-off in society such as pensioners and lone-parents.
He revealed that under the new proposals as many as 200,000 households in Northern Ireland who presently qualify for Rates Rebate, Housing Benefit or the new Special Rates Relief Scheme would benefit. The scheme will also extend to all 16/17-year-old householders and to children leaving care up to the age of 21.
"For those on low incomes, no-one will pay more than £180 regardless of the value of the property in which they live," the Minister said.
"I want to go further and give extra help to people who may be living in lower value houses or flats. For those living in these households we will introduce two further tariffs. Houses valued up to £70k will pay £90 (a 1.5% income cap) while houses valued between £70 and £100k will pay £135 (a 2.25% income cap). For people in these households that means maximum bills will be £90 and £135 respectively.
"I am very concerned that we need to help people prepare for these charges, even though people in Northern Ireland will pay no more than the average paid by anyone else in the United Kingdom. Because we want to help people we will phase the charges in over three years. I can tell people now who qualify for this protection that when their first bills arrive in April 2007 the most that they will have to pay will be £60 and many will pay as little as £30 in that first year."
Mr Woodward said the Government had listened carefully to those people who said "water poverty" must be avoided.
"We recognise this could be a real problem which is why we are introducing the Affordability Tariff," the Minister continued. "And we will spend the next 16 months working hard to ensure that everyone who is entitled to this protection gets it."
(MB/SP)
The new income-based affordability tariff was described by NIO Minster Shaun Woodward as a clear indication of how Government had listened to concerns that charges had to be fair and affordable particularly for the least well-off in society such as pensioners and lone-parents.
He revealed that under the new proposals as many as 200,000 households in Northern Ireland who presently qualify for Rates Rebate, Housing Benefit or the new Special Rates Relief Scheme would benefit. The scheme will also extend to all 16/17-year-old householders and to children leaving care up to the age of 21.
"For those on low incomes, no-one will pay more than £180 regardless of the value of the property in which they live," the Minister said.
"I want to go further and give extra help to people who may be living in lower value houses or flats. For those living in these households we will introduce two further tariffs. Houses valued up to £70k will pay £90 (a 1.5% income cap) while houses valued between £70 and £100k will pay £135 (a 2.25% income cap). For people in these households that means maximum bills will be £90 and £135 respectively.
"I am very concerned that we need to help people prepare for these charges, even though people in Northern Ireland will pay no more than the average paid by anyone else in the United Kingdom. Because we want to help people we will phase the charges in over three years. I can tell people now who qualify for this protection that when their first bills arrive in April 2007 the most that they will have to pay will be £60 and many will pay as little as £30 in that first year."
Mr Woodward said the Government had listened carefully to those people who said "water poverty" must be avoided.
"We recognise this could be a real problem which is why we are introducing the Affordability Tariff," the Minister continued. "And we will spend the next 16 months working hard to ensure that everyone who is entitled to this protection gets it."
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 March 2024
Additional £3m Announced For Supporting People Programme
An additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People programme, which aims to the quality of life for vulnerable people through appropriate housing-related services, has been announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
Additional £3m Announced For Supporting People Programme
An additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People programme, which aims to the quality of life for vulnerable people through appropriate housing-related services, has been announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
04 September 2024
Universal Credit Failing To Support Low Income Households
Alliance Communities Spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA has called for urgent action on Universal Credit, which they said is failing to provide low income households with the support they need.
Universal Credit Failing To Support Low Income Households
Alliance Communities Spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA has called for urgent action on Universal Credit, which they said is failing to provide low income households with the support they need.
24 May 2021
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
12 September 2013
O'Dowd Could Fast-Track Teachers' Incremental Pay
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has said he will move to fast-track the payment of teachers' incremental pay awards. The date for teachers' incremental progression each year is 1 September, but no agreement has been formally reached between employers and unions on a 2013/14 pay award.
O'Dowd Could Fast-Track Teachers' Incremental Pay
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has said he will move to fast-track the payment of teachers' incremental pay awards. The date for teachers' incremental progression each year is 1 September, but no agreement has been formally reached between employers and unions on a 2013/14 pay award.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
