The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's cross-community party
|
|
The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland's cross-community party |
|
| The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland | <alliance@allianceparty.org> |
Poverty rates demand rethink on water charges5.13.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 4th May 2006
Alliance Party Local Government Whip Stewart Dickson has said Government figures released today on poverty levels in Northern Ireland mean there must be a Government re-think on water charges. The Carrickfergus Councillor stated: "Today we see yet another Government report on poverty in Northern Ireland, yet we see precious little Government action. "Indeed, my party has campaigned at length pointing out that what the Government is doing is precisely the opposite of tackling poverty - hitting the disadvantaged in our society with rates rises and water charges while throwing away the money gained on segregated facilities and services. "Figures showing, for example, that 40% of pensioners get by on a weekly income below £300 without access to benefits mean Government must rethink its policy on water charges. "As a bare minimum, the rates relief offered to disadvantaged people in our society must also apply to water charges. "To bring in water charges without relief on the back of the statistics published today would be an act of the highest callousness." ENDS
Bookmark this story at:
Related News Stories:Fri 12th Oct 2007: Executive will increase rates to cover water charges claims Alliance. Wed 10th Oct 2007: Alliance warns of stealth water charges. Tue 27th Mar 2007: We need delivery to let us scrap unfair water charges for good. Mon 5th Mar 2007: Durkan "misleading" public on water charges - Neeson. Thu 8th Feb 2007: By ending segregation we can stop water charges. Wed 29th Nov 2006: Water charges could lead to serious public health risk - Alliance. Wed 22nd Nov 2006: Sectarian parties to blame as water charges brought in. Sat 29th Oct 2005: Alliance challenges Minister on water charges. Wed 7th Sep 2005: Alliance continues to oppose threat of 'water poverty'. Tue 6th Sep 2005: Alliance continues to oppose threat of 'water poverty' - Bell. Fri 26th Aug 2005: Alliance leads coalition against water charges. Tue 26th Apr 2005: Integrated services would avoid water charges: Parsley. Sat 12th Mar 2005: Conference 2005: Motion 2: Water Charges. Thu 9th Dec 2004: Public meeting demonstrates strong opposition to water charges. Fri 1st Oct 2004: Alliance ensures debate on water charges. Tue 6th Apr 2004: Water Charges simply another tax burden: Aceves-Cully. Wed 30th Apr 2003: Government 'drowning in spin' over water charges: Close. Thu 3rd Apr 2003: Published and promoted by The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, 88 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE. The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |
