New Labour uturn on water taxing

Water firm's landmark meters win
1 March 2006

Millions of families could be forced to have water meters following a landmark ruling by ministers.

Folkestone & Dover Water has been granted the power to install compulsory water meters in 200,000 homes, in a landmark ministerial ruling which could affect millions of families.

Industry experts believe other water companies will follow suit now Environment Minister Elliot Morley has given Folkestone & Dover Water the green light.

Britain faces one of the worst droughts for 100 years after two consecutive dry winters.

Major house-building programmes are placing additional strain on the South and East.

The Government's Environment Agency last week announced it favoured compulsory metering in southern England.

However, the move is highly controversial because critics see it as rationing by price.

Labour fiercely opposed compulsory metering in Opposition, calling them a "tax on family life".

The Folkestone & Dover firm applied for "water scarcity status" which gives it strong powers over supplies and use.

Car washes could be shut down and parks go unwatered in times of drought. The application, the first of its kind, allows the firm to introduce compulsory water meters. The company aims to ensure 90% of its customers use meters by 2015, according to the Daily Mail.