Water Debt And Disconnection

EDM number 872 in 1994-95, proposed by Helen Jackson on 22/03/1995.

That this House congratulates the Policy Studies Institute and agrees with the conclusions in its report by Alicia Herbert and Elaine Kempson on Water Debt and Disconnection that water is not a commodity like consumer goods, and that no-one should be denied access to water because they are unable to pay; is concerned that the evidence indicates that growing numbers of households are facing difficulties in paying as charges rise; further agrees that the Government cannot be absolved from the need to consider the consequences of privatisation for low income households; and believes that the Government needs to reconsider whether or not disconnection continues to be an appropriate sanction for non-payment of water charges.

This motion has been signed by a total of 90 MPs.