McMillan Welcomes Fair Water Charging for Scotland

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement from Scottish Water that combined water and waste water service charges will remain steady for households across Scotland during 2011/2012.

Mr McMillan said;

"In these financially difficult times this is good news for hard pressed families and shows that the Scottish Government has been overseeing our public finances effectively.

"With plans to deliver a council tax freeze these charges will be a welcome relief to many families and households.

"Every little helps and all households will feel the benefit of improved services at reduced prices.

"The Scottish Government is doing its best to assist householders in these difficult times and today’s water charges by Scottish Water underscore that hard work."

Notes;

Scottish Water release -

Scottish Water Household Charges Held

21 December 2010

Scottish Water’s combined water and waste water service charges will remain steady for households across Scotland during 2011/2012.

Annual council tax bills which will be delivered through letter boxes in the next few months will include combined water and waste water service charges that come into effect from April 2011.

The average water charge for households across Scotland in 2011/12 will continue to be around £324.

Although charges in England and Wales have not yet been set the average household charge in Scotland is expected to continue to be less than the average household bill in England and Wales and lower than the average in most of the companies south of the border. It is also considerably lower than other utility charges.

This is the third year running that Scottish Water’s household charges have remained at this level.

This signals continued stability in water and waste water bills for Scotland, at the same time as Scottish Water is delivering one of the largest investment programmes per household in the UK.

Richard Ackroyd, chief executive, said:

“Our customers are increasingly seeing value in the charges they pay and the improved service they are receiving. The quality of our drinking water is the best it has ever been, we are continuing to improve the natural environment of Scotland, leakage is being tackled and our customer service is being improved.

“We believe these charges are a fair deal for our customers in these challenging economic conditions.

“These charges are helping to pay for the current £2.5 billion investment programme which is delivering the investment that Scotland needs in its water infrastructure while providing thousands of construction jobs. Millions of people are turning on their taps to clearer, fresher drinking water, a cleaner environment and improved customer service as a result.

“We are working hard to ensure that in the next few years, charges remain steady while we continue to deliver vital investment.”