3 March 2008
Churches and charities are to begin a protest against measures that may see them having to pay increased water bills.
Proposals have stated that current exemptions offered to these venues may not be continued after 2010, something that could land them with extra financial burdens, reports the BBC.
Reverend Jock Stein of the Church of Scotland Dunfermline Presbytery claimed that the current rules should be left unaltered as churches serve a social purpose.
"The ending of the current exemption would mean that many congregations will be forced to either reduce services, start charging or hike their existing rates," he told the publication.
He added that there may be a big "knock-on effect" from any changes in regulation.
A petition is set to be sent to the Scottish Parliament, plus the Government and MSPs, along with unions.
The Scottish Government has planned to bring the new fees in by 2010, something opponents have stated could lead to the closure of charitable bodies.
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