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Wilson confirms freeze on rates Freeze on regional rate confirmed
(about 4 hours later)
Finance minister Sammy Wilson has confirmed he wants to freeze regional rates for the next year. Regional rates for householders are set to be frozen this April.
He is also proposing a below-inflation rise of 2.7% from April for business and commercial users which, he claimed, represented a freeze in real terms. The move, which will also benefit businesses, was passed by the Assembly on Monday.
Mr Wilson said it was significantly better than the "whopping rises seen during direct rule". The Alliance Party opposed the move but the DUP called the freeze a benefit of devolution.
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson proposed a below-inflation rise of 2.7% from April for business users which, he claimed, was a freeze in real terms.
Mr Wilson said the rates proposal was significantly better than the "whopping rises seen during direct rule".
He was addressing assembly members during a debate on the Regional Rates Order NI 2010 on Monday.He was addressing assembly members during a debate on the Regional Rates Order NI 2010 on Monday.
The regional rate makes up just over half of the rates bill for householders across Northern Ireland. It funds spending by Stormont departments.The regional rate makes up just over half of the rates bill for householders across Northern Ireland. It funds spending by Stormont departments.
These real and cash freezes come on top of other easements provided since devolution was restored Sammy WilsonFinance ministerThese real and cash freezes come on top of other easements provided since devolution was restored Sammy WilsonFinance minister
District rates are struck by individual councils and cover local services from refuse collection to leisure services.District rates are struck by individual councils and cover local services from refuse collection to leisure services.
New rates bills are due to be issued in April and many householders will be facing rises due to the fact their local councils have added an above-inflation hike on their half of the rates bill.New rates bills are due to be issued in April and many householders will be facing rises due to the fact their local councils have added an above-inflation hike on their half of the rates bill.
Mr Wilson said the regional rates freeze was a benefit of devolution.Mr Wilson said the regional rates freeze was a benefit of devolution.
"To raise more from ratepayers, both domestic and commercial, would place an unacceptable burden on ordinary people during this extraordinary economic downturn," he said."To raise more from ratepayers, both domestic and commercial, would place an unacceptable burden on ordinary people during this extraordinary economic downturn," he said.
"These real and cash freezes come on top of other easements provided since devolution was restored."These real and cash freezes come on top of other easements provided since devolution was restored.
"The easements include a further lowering of the maximum household rates and the introduction of a lone pensioner allowance."The easements include a further lowering of the maximum household rates and the introduction of a lone pensioner allowance.
"In the commercial sector we have also capped industrial de-rating at 30% and are introducing a small business rate relief scheme in April which will provide assistance of around £9m per year.""In the commercial sector we have also capped industrial de-rating at 30% and are introducing a small business rate relief scheme in April which will provide assistance of around £9m per year."
However, the Alliance Party is opposing what it claims is a tax cut in rates at a time when almost £400m has been slashed from the Stormont budget for health and education. However, the Alliance Party was opposing what it claimed was a tax cut in rates at a time when almost £400m has been slashed from the Stormont budget for health and education.
In February, Magherafelt council announced the biggest percentage increase following the striking of the district rate by NI councils.In February, Magherafelt council announced the biggest percentage increase following the striking of the district rate by NI councils.
Domestic ratepayers in the council area face a rise of 8.4% in the coming financial year.Domestic ratepayers in the council area face a rise of 8.4% in the coming financial year.
There have also been significant rises of more than 7% in Belfast, Ballymoney and Limavady council areas.There have also been significant rises of more than 7% in Belfast, Ballymoney and Limavady council areas.
Dungannon and South Tyrone council stays the same, while the rise in the Moyle council area is less than 0.04%.Dungannon and South Tyrone council stays the same, while the rise in the Moyle council area is less than 0.04%.