Consumer Council statement on the deferment of water charges:

Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council said: “The Consumer Council welcomed today’s statement from the Northern Ireland (NI) Executive that water charges are to be deferred for one year.  This is a clear sign that the NI Executive is in touch with and listening to the concerns of consumers as they struggle to manage the cost of household bills.  Consumers here will greet this news with a huge sigh of relief and recognition that devolution works for consumers.

“The Consumer Council advised the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee at Stormont in September that consumers were under considerable financial pressure and the introduction of another charge, like water, may have the potential to tip many households over the edge. 

“The Consumer Council believes that investment in our water and sewerage services is essential but welcomes the acknowledgement that households are in fear of how they are going to cope with all these bills.  We will continue to work the NI Assembly to feed in the views of consumers on the timing and phasing of any future water charges.”