A campaign against new rules which would have dramatically increased the water bills of Scout halls, community buildings and churches has succeeded.

This week Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, announced proposals which will ensure water companies offer fair drainage charges for community and voluntary groups.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham strongly backed the Scout Association campaign for the change and took part in a youth forum to discuss their concerns at the recent Labour Party conference in Brighton.

Scout groups and other community organisations had been threatened with increased charges for drainage, which would have seen their bills multiply into thousands of pounds. This followed the announcement of new rules meaning that such buildings would be charged on the same basis as commercial premises. The government’s proposals to prevent this ‘Rain Tax’ will form part of the Floods and Water Bill.

As well as the Scout Association, the campaign against the ‘Rain Tax’ was backed by faith groups and sport organisations, who have also been calling for a change in the rules laid down by Ofwat, the government body which regulates the water industry.

In South London, over 5,000 young people belong to Scout groups and benefit from the range of activities they offer.

Commenting on the success of the Rain Tax campaign, Chuka Umunna said:

“The government has made the right decision by backing community and voluntary groups, ensuring that their drainage bills are reasonable and affordable from now on.”

“The increased charges would have been a disaster for Scout groups, which do so much important work for youngsters across South London. I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet and talk with Scouts recently and hear about the positive impact their involvement has on their lives.”