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Politicians hear of rates crusade Politicians hear of rates crusade
(about 22 hours later)
Northern Ireland's four main parties have been hearing of a campaign against industrial rates.Northern Ireland's four main parties have been hearing of a campaign against industrial rates.
The Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group has claimed plans to impose rates on industry will devastate the economy and cost thousands of jobs.The Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group has claimed plans to impose rates on industry will devastate the economy and cost thousands of jobs.
On Thursday, the group met DUP, UUP, SDLP and Sinn Fein politicians at the Harland and Wolff complex in Belfast. On Thursday, the group met UUP, SDLP and Sinn Fein politicians at the Harland and Wolff complex in Belfast.
It said the issue was still "an urgent one" for thousands of employers and their group.It said the issue was still "an urgent one" for thousands of employers and their group.
NIMFG member Michael Wightman said: "We will brief as many election candidates as possible in their own constituencies about the job losses which will happen if industrial rates are introduced in full.NIMFG member Michael Wightman said: "We will brief as many election candidates as possible in their own constituencies about the job losses which will happen if industrial rates are introduced in full.
"The NIMFG has fought hard and achieved notable successes, including positive engagement with the Department of Finance and Personnel, a one year cap at 30% and the political support of the local parties."The NIMFG has fought hard and achieved notable successes, including positive engagement with the Department of Finance and Personnel, a one year cap at 30% and the political support of the local parties.
"Now, with the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly a distinct possibility we want to make sure that prospective MLAs are clear on the importance of the issue, and on what needs to be done."Now, with the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly a distinct possibility we want to make sure that prospective MLAs are clear on the importance of the issue, and on what needs to be done.
Assembly debateAssembly debate
"The introduction of full industrial rates will cost thousands of jobs, it will devastate our economy, and it will meet with continued opposition from our organisation and our members."The introduction of full industrial rates will cost thousands of jobs, it will devastate our economy, and it will meet with continued opposition from our organisation and our members.
"Let's make the capping of the industrial rate one of the first decisions that the new assembly makes, and see a new future develop for the manufacturing sector and its employees here in Northern Ireland"."Let's make the capping of the industrial rate one of the first decisions that the new assembly makes, and see a new future develop for the manufacturing sector and its employees here in Northern Ireland".
The group's Decision Time campaign will see meetings take place at manufacturing plants across Northern Ireland.The group's Decision Time campaign will see meetings take place at manufacturing plants across Northern Ireland.
The group said its campaign had been ongoing for more than two years and had achieved a one-year cap on the industrial rate at 30%.The group said its campaign had been ongoing for more than two years and had achieved a one-year cap on the industrial rate at 30%.
This was while the government reviewed the decision to introduce industrial rates.This was while the government reviewed the decision to introduce industrial rates.
The NIMFG also achieved cross party support for our campaign at last April's Waterfront Hall event, and in June at an assembly debate on the issue.The NIMFG also achieved cross party support for our campaign at last April's Waterfront Hall event, and in June at an assembly debate on the issue.