Age Sector Platform (ASP) is committed to expressing the views of older people on the issue of water and sewerage charges. Many older people are already living in poverty and many others face being plunged into poverty through increases to the cost of living.

Therefore, implementing a fair and affordable system with effective safeguards for those who cannot afford to pay is critical. Age Sector Platform will work to ensure the proposals regarding water charging take into account the full implications for older people in Northern Ireland.

Age Sector Platform aims to:

• Protect vulnerable pensioner households from falling into poverty as a result of water charges
• Campaign for a review of the current affordability tariff to ensure it is effective in protecting older people
• Secure a long term affordability tariff for the most vulnerable
• Ensure older people pay a fair price for water and sewerage services
• Promote and raise awareness of any relief scheme in advance of charges.