Government does something right - the water bills issue

Mouse did not see this coming. In a week when the government lost count of its humiliating climb-downs and defeats in Parliament, they actually did the right thing on one issue.

You may remember the issue of water bills for churches. A change in the way water bills are to be levied is leading to hugely increased bills for churches and other large charitable buildings. Mouse just received an email from No.10 as a signatory to the Downing Street petition on the subject, telling him that No.10 had responded to the petition. To his amazement, the response basically said that the government agreed. Crucially, they also point out that it is out of line with guidance issued by DEFRA to OFWAT, the water regulator. The response says:

We have also made it clear that increases in bills of this magnitude are not in line with Defra’s guidance on charging issued to Ofwat in 2000, or Ofwat’s more detailed 2003 guidance to the water companies.

This response gives real hope that OFWAT will ride to the rescue and force a retreat on this issue.

Now, could someone help me pick my jaw back up off this floor?