AQW 14000/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 03/02/2021
Answered On Date: 01/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy whether support offered to the newspaper sector will include support for regularly published magazines.

Answer:

Following January monitoring the Finance Minister announced that he had allocated £600,000 to extend the 12 months rates holiday for local newspapers.

The Finance Minister stated that ‘I took action to support the production of our local newspapers as they are a key part of the fabric of society and reflect the local community. These newspapers have experienced a significant loss of income as a result of the pandemic. I have no plans to add magazines to the business rate support. This scheme is similar to the support in place in Scotland’.

The Department for the Economy has also provided over £370 million of support to over 30,000 businesses and individuals, and is currently delivering millions of pounds to thousands more.

Whilst we continue to receive calls for specific targeted support, it is not possible to design and fund schemes for every sector of business or employment group across our society.

Any new or additional Covid related funding and its allocation will be agreed collectively by the Executive.