Home : News : Queen announces legislation to stop the rain tax
Queen announces legislation to stop the rain tax
18/11/2009
The Scout Association today welcomed the announcement in the Queen’s Speech of legislation to allow water companies to operate concessionary schemes relating to surface water drainage and is calling for all MPs to ensure this legislation becomes law.
Since November 2008, Scouts have been campaigning against guidance from Ofwat recommending that water companies change the way they charge for surface water drainage to a ‘site-area’ basis, rather than the previous ratable value.
This resulted in the water bills for non-household properties such as Scout buildings, churches and local sports grounds paying much larger sums for their waste water. The extra costs incurred have a direct impact on the kind of adventurous activities and support Scout Groups across the UK provide for young people.
The Scout Association’s Stop the Rain Tax campaign called for an exemption from these charges for community and voluntary groups, or a social tariff scheme which will ensure Scout Groups are issued with affordable bills.
As a result of the campaign on 29 September 2009, Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the government would legislate to allow water companies to operate concessionary schemes relating to surface water drainage.
Queen’s Speech legislates to Stop the Rain Tax
The Flood and Water Management bill announced in the Queen’s Speech today allows for the safeguarding of community groups from unaffordable rises in their bills for surface water drainage by allowing water companies to operate concessionary charging schemes.
Speaking on behalf of The Scout Association, Stella Creasy, Head of Public Affairs and Campaign said, ‘Scouts across the country will be delighted to see legislation being brought forward to stop the rain tax.
‘All of us who are affected would be devastated if these proposals are not given the parliamentary time they need to become law.
Members of The Scout Association will be writing to politicians of all parties to beg them not to get distracted by the general election and work together to help stop the rain tax.’
The Scout Association still needs your support
In order for this to be implemented, the bill requires widespread support from MPs to ensure these groups are protected by law.
Email your local MP to ask him or her to ensure that they support these proposals
Further information
Stop The Rain Tax Campaign
Scout Success in stopping the rain tax
Scouts campaign success against the rain tax
Comments
There are no user comments for this news article.