NI Executive 'will need to raise funds from water charges'
The Executive will need to raise money from water charges or other sources if it wants to improve the performance of NI Water, an independent watchdog has concluded.The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council said changing the structure of NI Water will not, on its own, make a sufficient difference."The fundamental constraint on NI Water is a budgetary one," it said.Persistent underfunding of NI Water has led to shortfall in wastewater infrastructure which in turn is limiting housebuilding and other development.
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where households do not pay directly for their water.Instead, NI Water receives a government subsidy which diverts more than £300m annually from the Executive's budget.The Fiscal Council said a popular belief that households pay for water through a portion of their rates bill is not true.It said the link with the regional rate was broken in 1998.Sir Robert Chote, chair of the council, said: "The current funding model is not fit for purpose."Charging for water or increasing taxes would put a further squeeze on the household finances, but failing to do so has its own costs."Sinn Féin and the DUP, the largest Executive parties, are opposed to water charges.The Sinn Féin-controlled Department for Infrastructure is holding a consultation which could lead to all housebuilders in Northern Ireland having to pay into a wastewater infrastructure fund.
The infrastructure minister, Liz Kimmins, has set out a second proposal which would involve voluntary contributions from developers.She said developer payments alone would not solve the problems but would be a "step forward on the journey towards having the infrastructure we all need".Much of Northern Ireland's wastewater infrastructure is ageing and needs upgraded.It means there are more than 100 towns and villages where the system is operating near or above capacity and cannot accommodate any additional wastewater connections.Speaking in March, Kimmins said: "Due to years of historic underfunding and austerity by the British government, our current drainage and wastewater infrastructure is in urgent need of upgrades."Improving our sewerage systems will be a significant undertaking, costing billions and spanning multiple decades."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
Government to invest £20m in Warndon community initiatives
An area of Worcester has been chosen as one of 25 parts of the country to receive up to £20m in regeneration government cash, which is spread over the next 10 years and earmarked for "community-led regeneration", was announced in Wednesday's Spending Review by the chancellor, Rachel West, in the north-east of the city, is among the areas to benefit, with local residents welcoming the news.A government spokesperson said it wanted to ensure "places that have been too easily left behind are no longer ignored." Labour MP for Worcester Tom Collins said Warndon had been "badly let down" in the past."We will work locally to make sure this money is controlled by local people and brings the type of real change that the people of Worcester deserve," he details of how the money will be used are yet to emerge, the government said it would "support improvements people can see on their doorstep, champion local leadership, foster community engagement and strengthen social cohesion".The funding would prioritise the needs of local people, Collins said, and support "projects that residents can see and feel". 'Forgotten area' The announcement went down well with local people who spoke to BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester on Wednesday. "You have children running wild, at night, on motorbikes," one man said."We need a lot more activity which we haven't got - and I think all it needs is a little bit more thinking, and more activities for the youngsters to do."He said the area had been "very let down" and there had not been enough investment."We seem to be on the bottom level," he said it was "about time" the area had more money to spend on projects - in particular for families and younger people."Families need more things to do, you do see some poor sights," he people told the BBC that they felt suggested the money could be spent on a new library and a swimming pool. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Sky News
24 minutes ago
- Sky News
Ballymena riots latest: Fire started 'after vandalism' at leisure centre as disorder breaks out for third night in row in N Ireland
21:47:04 Leisure centre on fire 'temporarily housed people from Ballymena' Reports in Ireland suggest the leisure centre said to be targeted by vandals tonight - see 20.59 - may have housed people moved from Ballymena, though this has not been verified. DUP politician Gordon Lyons posted on Facebook earlier today "a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Lesiure Centre... following disturbances in Ballymena". "It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne," he added. "Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful." The Irish Independent said it is understood there is nobody currently inside the Leisure Centre. 21:14:01 'Force will be used against violent individuals', police warn crowd In Ballymena, police have gathered to deter any rioters planing disorder for a third night in a row. Our team is there now, where a crowd has been told to move away. A warning played via speakers tells them they should be "dispersed immediately". It then warns "force will be used against violent individuals". 20:59:56 Fire breaks out in town east of Ballymena A fire has reportedly broken out at a leisure centre in another town in the same county as Ballymena. Footage on social media shows masked individuals smashing windows and setting fires outside in Larne. The map below shows where Larne is, about 20 miles east of Ballymena in County Antrim. Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said the leisure centre "has been attacked by masked thugs". "Windows smashed and fires lit nearby," he posted on social media. "Larne does not need this." 20:59:01 In pictures: Police brace for further rioting More pictures now from the scene in Ballymena, where police are preparing for another night of rioting. 20:46:01 Entire rows of houses displaying 'locals live here' signs We've already brought you reports of residents in Ballymena displaying signs in their windows about their nationality - in an attempt to avoid rioters targeting their homes. Now, our team on the ground bring us pictures of entire rows of homes displaying signs. Our correspondent Connor Gillies explains that these signs look organised, as they are all of the same design, printed on yellow paper with black lettering in caps saying "Locals live here". Some homes with the signs in their windows also have the Northern Irish flag or the Union flag, too. 20:30:01 More police arrive with shields and helmets We reported in the post below that the police presence in Ballymena is growing. The picture below, from the last few minutes, gives you an idea of the units now taking formation. Several vans have arrived, blocking off a street as more officers line up equipped with riot gear. 20:16:48 Significant police presence in Ballymena A brief update from Connor Gillies, our reporter on the ground in Northern Ireland. He says he's just arrived in Ballymena for the evening, where there is a significant police presence. We'll bring you more updates as we get them. 20:09:01 'I deplore the thuggery' More political reaction now, with former SDLP leader Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick reacting to the violence. She said earlier: "I deplore the thuggery and the racist violence in Ballymena over the last two days, where there were attacks on the police service of Northern Ireland and on ethnic minorities." Violence condemned 'unequivocally' DUP peer Lord Weir of Ballyholme added: "Can I join with others in commending the efforts and the bravery of the police and the other emergency services in dealing [with the] situation of the last 48 hours, and also unreservedly and unequivocally condemn the violence that has taken place in Ballymena. "Whatever the underlying issues that are there in Ballymena, nothing can ever justify the thuggery that is being perpetrated there." 19:45:01 Aftermath of 'ugly' night of 'racially motivated' violence - and how it all began Police say the violence this week in Ballymena is "clearly racially motivated". Connor Gillies explains it all began with a vigil for a teenage girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault. Two teenage boys, from Romania, have appeared in court connected to that investigation. Officers say the vigil was hijacked by a planned anti-immigration mob. Watch below as Gillies runs through the origins of the riots, and looks at the homes devastated by violence.
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
Labour put Red Arrows' future at risk by failing to replace ageing Hawk jets, slams Shadow Defence Secretary
LABOUR were accused of putting the Red Arrows future at risk last night by failing to replace their ageing Hawk jets. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge slammed the government for 'dithering' after The Sun revealed the display team is running out of Hawk T1s. 6 6 6 He said: 'The Sun's revelations on Red Arrow availability show why Labour needs to stop dithering and actually get on with ordering a new RAF training jet. He added: 'They should commit to buying British so that renewal of the Red Arrows supports jobs and investment across the country.' Top Brass admitted the Red Arrows may be forced to cancel air shows to reduce the wear and tear on their surviving aircraft. The Hawk T1s entered service 50 years ago and the factory that made spare parts has closed. Ground crews have been forced to cannibalise parts from old planes to keep the best ones running. RAF sources denied industry claims the fleet could plummet to six working aircraft by 2028. They insisted the Red Arrows could keep 11 aircraft in service until 2030 by scrounging parts from older aircraft. But with a quarter of the fleet in maintenance at any one time, the display team would be unable to fly their trademark Diamond Nine formation. An industry source said the RAF's projections were 'wildly optimistic'. Labour's Strategic Defence Review demanded RAF replace its fleet of Hawk jets as soon as possible. A defence source close to John Healey said: 'We've been clear that we will deliver on all the SDR recommendations, a replacement jet worthy of our iconic Reds is no different.' Incredible moment Red Arrows jets soar over Buckingham Palace in stunning footage captured from inside the cockpit The only British contender is a concept jet known as the Aeralise Fast Jet Trainer. Critics claim Aeralis is Qatari owned and yet to make a prototype. An RAF spokesperson said: 'The Red Arrows will continue to use the Hawk to perform displays and flypasts until their out of service date and have sufficient aircraft in the fleet to do so. 'We continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure an appropriate number of aircraft will be available.' 6 6 6
