"Any returning Stormont Executive must immediately rule out the introduction of water charges"

A Derry Councillor has spoken out against the consultation on introducing water and sewerage charges in the North.

Cllr Shaun Harkin said the consultation should be scrapped.

"People Before Profit strongly condemn the DfI led consultation on water charges launched on behalf of the Tory Secretary of State in December," he said.

"Any returning Stormont Executive must immediately rule out the introduction of water charges and scrap the consultation.

"A restored Executive should not accept regressive revenue raising measures as a condition for the release of funding by the Secretary of State.

"Water charges is a blatant attempt to impose a regressive tax on people who are already suffering from years of Tory austerity and criminal under investment in our public services.

"Access to clean water is a basic human right, not a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.

"This is an attempt to privatise our water, a process that has been disastrous wherever it has been implemented.

"Thatcher's water sell-off in England is rightly regarded as an unmitigated failure.

"It has lead to increased pollution, sewage leaks, poor service and profiteering by private companies.

"We simply cannot allow the same to happen here.

"In the past the Alliance Party, who claim to be progressive and pro-environment, have said they back water charges.

"The DUP, Sinn Féin, SDLP and UUP should all clearly state their positions on water charges and other regressive revenue raising proposals from the Secretary of State.

"Are they on the side of the Tories and the billionaire bosses of the big water companies?

"Or on the side of the ordinary people who simply cannot afford to pay extra water bills?

"A restored Stormont Executive cannot be depended on to stop water charges.

"In 2007, we successfully resisted the introduction of water charges, thanks to the mass mobilisation of trade unions, community groups and ordinary people across the North.

"We must revive the spirit of 2007 and build a powerful movement to defend our right to water and our public services.

"People here already pay for their water through their rates. We will not pay twice.

"This is a fight we must win."