Concerns over British soldiers in Northern Ireland being made to pay domestic rates
Concerns over British soldiers in Northern Ireland being made to pay domestic rates when on overseas deployment have been raised by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Councillors.
Service men and woman in NI are left to pay their full rates for their homes even though other soldiers from the UK are not.
Development of a new rates relief for British service personnel could now lie in the hands of a Sinn Fein Stormont minister.
A motion is to be entered at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council by Independent Cpuncillor Gary Hynds, who spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service saying: “Lisburn has proud military connections and a strong Armed Forces community.
“I know many local families who have served with distinction, and I believe standing up for them is simply the right thing to do.
"This issue was brought to me directly by serving personnel, including a young serviceman who contacted me after raising concerns about the financial pressures they can face while spending long periods away from home due to deployment.
“When those serving our country raise legitimate concerns, they deserve to be heard.”
The motion will ask the council to write to the Minister of Finance John O’Dowd to request a review of how the current rates system applies to serving personnel. The local authority is also being asked to explore additional support to assist those in the military.
The LDRS understands that reductions in rates can be available to British personnel up to 50% in some cases in GB.
Councillor Hynds added: “Our Armed Forces personnel make enormous sacrifices on behalf of the entire United Kingdom.
“They spend long periods away from their families, miss important milestones at home and put service before self.
“The very least they deserve is fairness when they return home. At present, Northern Ireland’s rates system does not specifically recognise those unique circumstances in the same way as other parts of the UK, and that is a legitimate issue that needs addressed.
“This is not about special treatment, it’s about ensuring the men and women who serve our country are treated fairly and consistently no matter where in the United Kingdom they call home.”