INTERIM REPORT FROM WALKER REVIEW 'DISSATISFYING'

6.15.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 29th Jun 2009

The interim report of the Walker Review on water charging was published today.

Despite pressure to consider Cornwall's beaches as a national treasure, which should be paid for by the whole nation, the interim report notes that "costs should reflect regional differences and that water prices should continue to be regionally based and geographically averaged."

The report stresses that water needs to be affordable for all - and acknowledges that affordability issues already exist in the South West but calls for these to be tackled in different ways.

The report raises the prospect of a 'regional water benefit' to allow for the very high cost of water in the South West. This would work in a similar way to housing benefit, which rather than being a static national fee allows for regional variations in the cost of housing. The report also proposes that those receiving council tax benefit have their water bills capped at the national, not regional average.

These proposals would bring some respite to the very poorest in Cornwall, but it is as yet unclear how they would benefit those on low incomes who do not qualify for state support.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy said:

"It is deeply dissatisfying that today's report continues to recommend that 3% of the population should be left maintaining 30% of the country's coastline. This is the fundamental unfairness created by the botched privatisation of the water industry under the Conservatives, which it seems there is little appetite to put right.

"Making water bills in the South West more affordable requires more action than a series of limited measures that will only help those entitled to other benefits. The government and this report must recognise that there are many thousands of SWW customers on low incomes, who may not be entitled to benefits, but still struggle to pay their water bills."