Review of Rating:

The DUP opposes the new rating arrangements for Northern Ireland. We argued that their introduction should be delayed until devolution was restored and a new Executive could be considered the matter.

Despite Government proceeding with the new system, we believe a new executive should make rating arrangements an urgent priority upon restoration. It will also be essential to put in place short-term arrangements to deal with the most serious problems.

Fundamental to rating reform is whether rates should be a charge or a tax. We believe it should have elements of each. Most people are willing to pay their share of local taxes.

We do not believe the capital value of a person's home on 1st January 2005 is a sufficient reliable indicator of ability to pay to be used as the sole basis for determining rates.

There are many people outside the safety net of the benefits system whose homes do not reflect their income. For these people rates increases will severely curtail their quality of life,

At St Andrews we insisted that a cap on rates should be introduced. The Government has agreed to do this, but we believe that the level the cap has been set at is too high. In particular more generous reliefs should apply to older people and other vulnerable groups.

It will not be easy for any new Executive to reach an agreed way forward on rating arrangements on account of the position taken by some other parties but we will continue to work for the fairest system possible.

 
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