Government announces water bill charge plans

Northern Ireland households will be expected to pay between £315 and £415 when water charges are introduced in less than two years time.

NIO Minister John Spellar announced the news today saying the average household will pay £115 from April 2006, eventually rising to £340 in 2008.

The Minister said: “We estimate the average household charge is likely to be in the region of £315 – £415 per year in 2008-09.

“Bills to householders will vary depending on the value of their property. For example, a property with a value of £60,000 will have an annual water and sewerage charge of around £235, or 65 pence per day. A property valued at £250,000 will have an annual charge of around £615, or £1.70 per day.”

The Minister added that, once the charges were fully phased in, the lowest household charge would be around £150 per year, and the maximum charge payable would be capped at around £750 per year.

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.

The Federation of Small Busineses (FSB) immediately hit out at the news.

Wilfred Mitchell, FSB Policy Chairman, said: “The government seem to forget that business owners will be hit twice by this double tap tax, at home and at their place of work.

“We urgently need the assembly restored to reverse this Water Poll Tax and to address the needs of the business community which are being ignored by this unaccountable Direct Rule administration.

“Water Charges should not be phased in – they should be scrapped."

(MB/GMCG)