Charities and churches slam water charges

A PETITION is to be lodged with the Scottish Parliament by charities and churches opposed to the introduction of water charges in Scotland beyond 2010.

The Rev Jock Stein of Dunfermline Presbytery will hand over 2300 signatures from charities, churches and individuals.

Lucy McTernan, director of corporate affairs for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: "The success of this petition reinforces the concerns we are hearing up and down the country on the devastating impact the removal of relief from water charges would have on their work."

The Rev Stein added: "As a national church we are extremely concerned about the additional burden of water charges, and the ending of the current exemption would have meant that many congregations would have been forced to either reduce services to community groups, start charging or hike their existing rates."