AQW 27271/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 13/12/2021
Answered On Date: 20/12/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance, pursuant to AQW 25644/17-22, for his assessment of current over-charging of business rates.

Answer:

The rates liabilities of all ratepayers here are assessed in line with the requirements of the Rates Order and, therefore, no business ratepayer is being overcharged.

In relation to the separate issue of whether the rates burden on businesses is too high, my answer to AQW 25644/17-22 set out in some detail the significant steps which I have taken to reduce the rates paid by businesses here, including reducing the regional rate by 18% last year and the very generous package of rate reliefs which has seen 29,000 businesses pay no rates at all for two years.

Also, as you may already be aware, recently as part of the draft budget proposals, I have also set aside a further £50 million to provide more rate relief to local businesses in 2022/23. My proposal is to provide a one month rates holiday for all businesses (except utilities and large foodstores) next year and a further two months rates relief for retail, tourism, hospitality, leisure, childcare and airports. The final decisions on the detail of the new scheme will be made after the budget consultation is complete.

I would remind the member that only part of the rates paid by businesses are levied by the Executive. Approximately half of every rate bill relates to the District Rates levied by district councils. I have urged district councils to show restraint in setting rates during the pandemic. I have also uncoupled the domestic and non-domestic district rates, giving councils the power to set lower rates for businesses and keep the rates burden as low as possible.