Government must act to protect voluntary groups from the “rain tax”, says Malcolm Moss MP Churches, Scout huts, Girl Guides and sports clubs facing soaring water rates

Malcolm Moss, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, has called on the Government to take immediate action to protect voluntary groups from soaring water charges.

As a result of Government guidance, charges for surface water drainage – dubbed the “rain tax” - are being introduced by some water companies. Ofwat has recommended all water companies to start charging for surface water drainage. This could result in thousands of churches, scout groups and amateur sports clubs paying hundreds of pounds more in higher bills, in some cases amounting to a third of their yearly revenue.

Such charging by site area falls disproportionately on churches and sports clubs which often have large roofs, a large open area or a sizeable car park.  It has been estimated that the new charges could cost the Church of England £15 million a year.  The Scout Association estimates that the changes could cost scout huts £500 a year, equivalent to 25 to 30 per cent of their yearly income.

Malcolm Moss MP said:

“It is time to axe this unfair ‘rain tax’. Churches and scout groups play a vital role in community life, and it is unacceptable that they are targeted in this way by the Government in order to plug the gaps in the public finances. It is not fair to target the voluntary sector when there are plenty of other areas where money can be saved. I will, along with the rest of the Conservative Party, press for a change in the law to allow water companies to reduce these charges for voluntary groups.”