20/11/2025
Finance Minister Plans To Accelerate Strategic Rates Review
Finance Minister John O'Dowd has announced plans to accelerate the strategic review of rates and push forward key changes to the business rates system in Northern Ireland.
The Minister informed the Assembly that his Department is committed to ensuring every single rates support will have been reviewed by the end of the 2027/28 rating year.
Following an internal review process over the summer, Minister O'Dowd stated his ambition to deliver enhanced support for small businesses, address the high level of vacancies in towns and city centres, and help accelerate business growth.
The Minister confirmed plans to enhance the Small Business Rate Relief support, which currently assists around thirty thousand small businesses but has remained unchanged since 2012.
He said: "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. I want to see extra help going to those businesses that provide vital employment supporting workers, families, and communities."
The Department plans to consult on enhancements before the New Year.
To tackle the issue of vacant properties, Minister O'Dowd turned to Non-Domestic Vacant Rating. He said the review made clear the need to "challenge the blight of vacant properties" and announced plans to increase the Non-Domestic Vacant Rating liability. He has instructed officials to take forward policy work to elevate the liability rate from the current 50% to 75% and then to 100%.
The Minister believes this change has the potential to unlock a further £20 million of revenue between central and local government.
Minister O'Dowd concluded that the planned steps will deliver a fairer and more progressive rating system that drives growth and strengthens communities. He added that he aims to deliver savings in parts of the rating system and redirect resources to provide additional support to businesses most in need.
The Minister informed the Assembly that his Department is committed to ensuring every single rates support will have been reviewed by the end of the 2027/28 rating year.
Following an internal review process over the summer, Minister O'Dowd stated his ambition to deliver enhanced support for small businesses, address the high level of vacancies in towns and city centres, and help accelerate business growth.
The Minister confirmed plans to enhance the Small Business Rate Relief support, which currently assists around thirty thousand small businesses but has remained unchanged since 2012.
The Department plans to consult on enhancements before the New Year.
To tackle the issue of vacant properties, Minister O'Dowd turned to Non-Domestic Vacant Rating. He said the review made clear the need to "challenge the blight of vacant properties" and announced plans to increase the Non-Domestic Vacant Rating liability. He has instructed officials to take forward policy work to elevate the liability rate from the current 50% to 75% and then to 100%.
The Minister believes this change has the potential to unlock a further £20 million of revenue between central and local government.
Minister O'Dowd concluded that the planned steps will deliver a fairer and more progressive rating system that drives growth and strengthens communities. He added that he aims to deliver savings in parts of the rating system and redirect resources to provide additional support to businesses most in need.
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03 July 2006
Government offer advice on rates bill
Over the next seven weeks householders across the province will receive a Valuation Notification Letter advising of their new Capital Value assessments, which will be the basis of their rates bill for 2007.
Government offer advice on rates bill
Over the next seven weeks householders across the province will receive a Valuation Notification Letter advising of their new Capital Value assessments, which will be the basis of their rates bill for 2007.
02 March 2022
Business Rates Frozen For Another Year
Regional business rates are to be frozen for another year, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced. The Minister also confirmed he intends to provide businesses with a £50 million rates support package in the 2022/23 financial year as well as continuing the Small Business Rate Relief which will benefit thousands of business premises.
Business Rates Frozen For Another Year
Regional business rates are to be frozen for another year, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced. The Minister also confirmed he intends to provide businesses with a £50 million rates support package in the 2022/23 financial year as well as continuing the Small Business Rate Relief which will benefit thousands of business premises.
02 July 2008
Rates System Rates Very Poorly: Audit Office
The NI Government is facing criticism as news of arrears of £130m in the rates system has emerged. The huge sum has built up because a new multi-million pound computer system is said to be "inadequate", the Northern Ireland Audit Office revealed. The auditors found the Rate Collection Agency's £10.
Rates System Rates Very Poorly: Audit Office
The NI Government is facing criticism as news of arrears of £130m in the rates system has emerged. The huge sum has built up because a new multi-million pound computer system is said to be "inadequate", the Northern Ireland Audit Office revealed. The auditors found the Rate Collection Agency's £10.
21 July 2004
New rates plans necessary, says Minister
A new domestic rating system, due to come into effect from April 2007, means households in Northern Ireland will pay rates on a fairer basis, Finance Minister Ian Pearson has said today.
New rates plans necessary, says Minister
A new domestic rating system, due to come into effect from April 2007, means households in Northern Ireland will pay rates on a fairer basis, Finance Minister Ian Pearson has said today.
20 November 2024
DAERA Minister Confirms Commitment to Deposit Return Scheme
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has reaffirmed his commitment to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Northern Ireland. The DRS is designed to encourage recycling by offering a monetary incentive for returning single-use drinks containers. The scheme will cover PET plastic, steel, and aluminium containers ranging from 150ml to 3 litres.
DAERA Minister Confirms Commitment to Deposit Return Scheme
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has reaffirmed his commitment to introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Northern Ireland. The DRS is designed to encourage recycling by offering a monetary incentive for returning single-use drinks containers. The scheme will cover PET plastic, steel, and aluminium containers ranging from 150ml to 3 litres.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.