Tackling the
Tax Problem

Householders in Northern Ireland are facing unprecedented increases in the level of local taxes. The introduction of water charge, the new rating system and an increase in the amount raised from rates taken together mean people face local tax bills two or three times the levels they were paying just a few years ago. Indeed, under present plans this trend is set to increase as the full impact of the recent changes is felt over the next few years.

Many of the changes have been implemented by Direct Rule Ministers but the reforms were begun by the pro-agreement parties in the last Executive. Those parties that contributed to the problem can hardly be depended upon to solve it.

The DUP is the only party that can tackle the local tax problem. We have demonstrated at every level of Government that we are a low tax party committed to obtaining for Northern Ireland taxpayers the best value for money.

It is wrong to pretend there is a straight forward solution to our problems. While a local Executive and Assembly will take decisions on a range of issues facing Northern Ireland, it still does so, constrained within a financial framework set by the Treasury.

Devolution will allow the problems of local tax levels to be addressed but for this to occur, a satisfactory financial package must be secured in advance. That is why we not only have plans for the restoration of devolution, but insist the underlying conditions must be right.

To read more click the links below or download the pdf.

• Water Charges
• Review of Rating
• Cutting Government Costs
• Securing a financial package
• Renegotiating the RRI

THE ONLY PARTY WHO CAN SOLVE THE TAX PROBLEM

While other parties now complain about the level of local taxes in Northern Ireland the DUP is the only party with a consistent record on these matters. When we raised these issues in the past we were accused of scaremongering but we have been vindicated by the events of recent years.

In 2003 we warned,

"Unless dramatic action is taken local taxation will undoubtedly spiral upwards over the next ten years. Borrowing for the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI), Water Charging, Trimbles's Review of Rating and a Government move to reach convergence with GB local tax levels will all drive ratepayers' bills upwards. When this is combined with excess and wasteful bureaucracy in Northern Ireland there is a danger that Rates could cripple many local businesses and households."

If implemented our proposals would ease the burden on householders and while we will need to win the support of other parties to bring it about, the plans would make a massive difference. However, given the positions they have adopted on some of these issues in the past it may not be easy, but the more seats we have in the Assembly the stronger our position. Indeed while we may not be able simply to impose our views on these matters, we are seeking a mandate to ensure our support is necessary for any proposals to pass. This would allow us to have the strongest negotiating position possible.

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