AQW 7954/16-21

Mrs Naomi Long
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 24/11/2016
Answered On Date: 06/12/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance to outline the consideration given to the introduction of protections for those on fixed or low incomes, in light of proposals to remove the rates cap for properties valued at £400k and above.

Answer:

The low income rate relief scheme provides considerable protection in the case of, for example, an elderly pensioner living alone in the family home. That scheme can allow receipt of relief even in cases where the ratepayer has up to £50,000 in capital.

There is also the Lone Pensioner Allowance that provides an automatic 20% discount to ratepayers who are aged 70 or over and live alone. That scheme, which is not means tested, is also likely to support people in this position.

As advised during my statement to the Assembly on 22 November, I plan to lift the cap only in respect of the regional rate element, thus ensuring that the additional charge resulting from the revised policy is moderated to a considerable extent.