Debate contribution: Grants to Water and Sewerage Undertakers Order (Northern Ireland) 2027
Debate contribution by Mr Paul Boggs on .
- MLA
- Mr Paul Boggs
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 29 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Grants to Water and Sewerage Undertakers Order (Northern Ireland) 2027
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5761290
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Minister for proposing the order this morning. The impact of the order is significant. The decision to extend the Department's subsidy to NI Water for a further five years shows a commitment to protecting workers and families from domestic water charges. Today's move by the Infrastructure Minister will help to ensure that already hard-pressed households are not burdened with additional costs and will protect them from domestic water charges, as the Minister says, until 2032 at least. Sinn Féin is absolutely clear that we will not impose domestic water charges on workers and families who are already under significant financial pressure. As we know, more than £500 million is provided to NI Water each year to support its day-to-day operations. Continuing that investment will shield households from potential bills of up to £600, which is similar to the charges faced by people in England, Scotland and Wales.
The order is particularly welcome during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which is impacting on workers and families. As households struggle, this move shows that the Executive will do what they can to better support people. However, the British Government should act immediately to ensure that they support workers and families. They should cut taxes and VAT on petrol, diesel and home heating oil to bring down prices for consumers. A windfall tax on oil and gas producers should also be introduced. Doing nothing is a political choice for the British Government throughout the continuing cost-of-living crisis. In Sinn Féin, we are clear that we will continue to stand up for workers and families. Today, that is by ensuring that they are not hit with additional water charges.
277 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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