Led by Scout Leader Mary Maybury, nine Cub Scouts from St Joseph’s Scout Group in Icknield District travelled to Westminster and an entry in the record books. They were part of an historic crowd of nearly 150 Cub Scouts from around the country allowed into Westminster Hall for the first time to lobby MPs in Parliament for an end to the unfair Rain Tax Levy.

The Luton youngsters had a special part to play. Jason Kandaiah (9) was interviewed for BBC TV. He said, “I enjoy all the Scout activities. It’s great fun. I just hope the people in charge do not make it too expensive to be a Scout.”

The Cub Scouts demonstrated outside the Houses of Parliament on St Swithin’s day an anniversary well known for its watery connections. Once inside Westminster Hall the youngsters met with Speaker John Bercow who wished them well. Environment minister Huw Irranca-Davies said, “I am really glad to see so many of you here today. We are going to talk about how to help you. And if Parliament doesn’t fix it, I will.”

OFWAT, the organisation responsible for the control of water charges, ignored the charitable status of organisations such as the Scouts in its search for more money to fund its operation. The Scout Association believe the extra fees will add at least £500 to the cost of running groups. “It’s a charge that could add £5 to the annual membership fee for each of the young people in our county,” said Bedfordshire County Commissioner John Duley.

Scouter in charge Mary Maybury, explained, “We have 53 in our group so an annual bill for £500 to pay for a rain water tax would mean each of us having to find another £10 on top of the other expenses. Is that a fair use of our scarce resources at a time when everyone is trying to make ends meet?”

Volunteers such as Mary give their time free to bring fun, adventure and challenge to the young people in their charge. It is a public spirited act that does not appear to have entered the thinking of OFWAT when they decided to change the rules on rain water charges.

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Led by Scout Leader Mary Maybury, nine Cub Scouts from St Joseph’s Scout Group in Icknield District travelled to Westminster and an entry in the record books. They were part of an historic crowd of nearly 150 Cub Scouts from around the country allowed into Westminster Hall for the first time to lobby MPs in Parliament for an end to the unfair Rain Tax Levy.

The Luton youngsters had a special part to play. Jason Kandaiah (9) was interviewed for BBC TV. He said, “I enjoy all the Scout activities. It’s great fun. I just hope the people in charge do not make it too expensive to be a Scout.”

The Cub Scouts demonstrated outside the Houses of Parliament on St Swithin’s day an anniversary well known for its watery connections. Once inside Westminster Hall the youngsters met with Speaker John Bercow who wished them well. Environment minister Huw Irranca-Davies said, “I am really glad to see so many of you here today. We are going to talk about how to help you. And if Parliament doesn’t fix it, I will.”

OFWAT, the organisation responsible for the control of water charges, ignored the charitable status of organisations such as the Scouts in its search for more money to fund its operation. The Scout Association believe the extra fees will add at least £500 to the cost of running groups. “It’s a charge that could add £5 to the annual membership fee for each of the young people in our county,” said Bedfordshire County Commissioner John Duley.

Scouter in charge Mary Maybury, explained, “We have 53 in our group so an annual bill for £500 to pay for a rain water tax would mean each of us having to find another £10 on top of the other expenses. Is that a fair use of our scarce resources at a time when everyone is trying to make ends meet?”

Volunteers such as Mary give their time free to bring fun, adventure and challenge to the young people in their charge. It is a public spirited act that does not appear to have entered the thinking of OFWAT when they decided to change the rules on rain water charges.

[Back to News Front Page]