Steve Pound celebrates the success of the Stop the Rain Tax Campaign

Labour MP Steve Pound welcomed proposals to end unaffordable charges for water services by the water regulator following their visit to a Scout Association youth forum at Labour Party Conference.

 

Steve said: “It was great to meet Scouts from across the UK and to hear about the impact Scouting has on their lives. They told me how Ofwat’s rain tax was a source of real concern to them and thousands of other local community and voluntary groups. That’s why today I’m delighted that Hilary Benn has announced measures to ensure groups like the Scouts will have affordable water bills in future and I will be supporting the legislation he proposes to secure this.”

Along with the Rugby Football Union, the Church of England, the Football Association, The Lawn Tennis Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board The Scouts have been campaigning for Ofwat to agree an acceptable new social tariff structure which would take into account vulnerable low-income groups. Today Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs announced plans to bring in amendments to the forthcoming Draft Floods and Water Bill to enable water companies to offer concessionary tariffs to community and voluntary groups.

Sophie Richings, an eighteen year old Explorer Scout and young leader from Enfield said: “It was great that so many MPs and PPCs came to meet with us and hear our concerns about the rain tax as well as thoughts on issues affecting young people. Its even better to know today that there is an end to the rain tax in sight!”