Water charge relief for students a drop in the ocean

9.42.58am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th Jun 2006

Young Alliance Chair and North Down Councillor Ian James Parsley

The Alliance Party's youth wing has welcomed the announcement that students will benefit from rates exemptions, but cautioned that this does not make up for the unfair rating and water charging policy planned for next year.

Chair and North Down Councillor Ian James Parsley stated: "I welcome the fact that students' difficulty with the new rating and water charging regime has been noted, but this only goes to prove how unfair the new system is. What about young people who are not, through no fault of their own, in full-time education? Indeed, what about those who are trying to get on to the jobs ladder but are hit by rates and charges well beyond their means?

"The Government has turned the whole rating and water charging system into an ugly political football.

"The truth is the entire population should be exempt from property-based taxes and charges. No one has any objection to the people of Northern Ireland paying their way, but it must be done fairly."

ENDS