Lib Dems Challenge Children's "Fish Tax" Increase (North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats)

North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats <bedford@bedfordlibdems.org>

Lib Dems Challenge Children's "Fish Tax" Increase

September 2, 2003 4:27 PM

Childrens "Fish Tax" Doubled

Plans by Bedford Borough Council to increase local fishing charges have been slammed by local Liberal Democrats.

Outraged Liberal Democrats have derided the plans, which target children for a 100% increase in charges, as a cynical ploy to target those least able to pay. The plans will also see a larger area affected by fishing charges and hefty increases for other users.

Speaking on the issue Christine McHugh, Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson, said:

"It is outrageous that the Executive think they can get away with increasing these charges by as much as 100%. Many local children like to fish in this area but now they are being asked to pay double the amount without any improvement for them. This is nothing short of a tax on children's leisure time. It will just encourage children to go further from home when looking for somewhere to fish."

"We should be encouraging local youngsters to get more involved in local activities not trying to price them out and fishing is after all the most popular participation sport in the country. Putting up prices is bad enough but to target young people with an increase like this is just not acceptable."

"We have challenged this decision and I want the Executive to think seriously about a policy that expects young people to stump up double the odds to fish locally."