Thursday 13 March 2008

Scottish Bishops concerned by proposed changes to water charges

In a response to the Scottish Government's consultation on water charges, the Bishops' Conference of Scotland have released the following statement;

"We are extremely concerned by recent proposals to remove the relief  
from water charges which charities currently enjoy. Churches and other  
charitable organisations in Scotland provide many pastoral, social and  
community services that are of immense benefit to Scottish society.  
One of the reasons they are able to do so is that they are exempt from  
water charges.

Removing this provision from the charitable sector would have many  
disadvantages and could undermine the core activities, which greatly  
benefit many local communities.

We urge the Scottish Parliament not to remove this provision and to  
allow Scotland's churches to continue to provide the social capital,  
which enhances our national life in so many ways."

ENDS


Peter Kearney
Director
Catholic Media Office
5 St. Vincent Place
Glasgow
G1 2DH
0141 221 1168
07968 122291
pk@scmo.org
www.scmo.org