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Campaign plan to 'sink' water tax Campaign plan to 'sink' water tax
(40 minutes later)
Threatened legal action will not stop mass non-payment of water charges, a group of campaigners have said.Threatened legal action will not stop mass non-payment of water charges, a group of campaigners have said.
Patrick Mulholland of the "We won't pay" campaign was speaking at a meeting of those opposed to the new charges.Patrick Mulholland of the "We won't pay" campaign was speaking at a meeting of those opposed to the new charges.
The meeting came as the BBC learned that the Water Service's approach to debt recovery would depend on each customer's credit rating.The meeting came as the BBC learned that the Water Service's approach to debt recovery would depend on each customer's credit rating.
Householders will be classified with labels such as "affluent achievers" or "rock bottom".Householders will be classified with labels such as "affluent achievers" or "rock bottom".
Mr Mulholland said threatened legal action would not be enough to defeat mass non-payment of water charges.
"People will be concerned and we will spend a lot of time organising to make people understand that the courts cannot actually do very much at the moment in Northern Ireland," he said.
"The support will be there in the communities and from other organisations. There will be support to anybody who has to go to court."
Mr Mulholland added: "Previously people have fought unjust laws, there is no reason why they shouldn't fight this law as well."
Legal action
It is understood that some householders in Northern Ireland could face legal action for unpaid water charges within seven weeks.It is understood that some householders in Northern Ireland could face legal action for unpaid water charges within seven weeks.
However, other people who fail to pay after charges are introduced will get 12 weeks before legal action is taken.However, other people who fail to pay after charges are introduced will get 12 weeks before legal action is taken.
Crystal Alliance has been awarded the £7m contract by the Water Service to run its billing system.Crystal Alliance has been awarded the £7m contract by the Water Service to run its billing system.
The BBC has obtained a copy of the strategy for debt recovery, which differs according to credit rating.The BBC has obtained a copy of the strategy for debt recovery, which differs according to credit rating.
The firm lists some as an "affluent achiever" but others as "rock bottom".The firm lists some as an "affluent achiever" but others as "rock bottom".
AngerAnger
This term has angered the Consumer Council who have described it as "appalling".This term has angered the Consumer Council who have described it as "appalling".
The watchdog is also angry that householders who are deemed to be high risk, in that they have a bad credit rating, will be pursued much more vigorously for unpaid bills than those who are deemed to be low risk.The watchdog is also angry that householders who are deemed to be high risk, in that they have a bad credit rating, will be pursued much more vigorously for unpaid bills than those who are deemed to be low risk.
Katherine Bryan from the Water Service said they will be continuing to consult with the Consumer Council and other bodies in how they deal with debt management.Katherine Bryan from the Water Service said they will be continuing to consult with the Consumer Council and other bodies in how they deal with debt management.
However, she said the terms were not used by the Water Service and that customers would not be referred to as such when being billed.However, she said the terms were not used by the Water Service and that customers would not be referred to as such when being billed.
"What we will do when we introduce our charges is that we will work with our customers for one to two years whilst we get experience of debt pattern in Northern Ireland," she said."What we will do when we introduce our charges is that we will work with our customers for one to two years whilst we get experience of debt pattern in Northern Ireland," she said.
"Then we will evolve, in conjunction with consumer representatives, including CCNI, a sensitive approach to debt management.""Then we will evolve, in conjunction with consumer representatives, including CCNI, a sensitive approach to debt management."