Anger over delay to water charges revamp

Published on Wednesday 5 August 2009 21:43

PLANS to postpone a shake-up of business water charges have come under fire.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has hit out at plans by Scottish ministers to extend the current water industry regulatory period by a year to 2015.

Ministers say changes due next year to the way firms are charged for surface water drainage are being delayed to avoid disruption during the economic downturn.

But Andy Willox, Scottish policy convener of the FSB in Scotland, accused the government of shying away from "difficult choices". He said: "In February 2005, it was accepted by the previous Scottish Executive that the current system is unfair.

"Four years down the line and the current Scottish Government has chosen to accept the unfair status quo rather than make difficult choices and move toward a fairer system."

He added: "Open-ended delays do not encourage stability and do not provide reassurance for those town and city centre businesses that are paying over the odds."

The FSB believes the drainage charge – for water which falls on a business premises then runs into drains – should be based on the property's surface area and not its rateable value, as is currently the case.

Infrastructure minister Stewart Stevenson said: "We consulted key business organisations widely on our proposed changes to surface drainage charges and many made the case for a delay."

CBI Scotland director Iain McMillan welcomed the delay, describing the measures as "encouraging and timely".