Rates Relief Scheme helps local businesses

EAST Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has said that the Small Business Rates Relief Scheme is another example of how the Executive is delivering help for small businesses in difficult economic times.

By The Newsroom

Published 27th Mar 2012, 00:00 BST

The Finance Minister said: “Since 2010, businesses with a net annual value of £2000 or less have received a 50 per cent reduction to their rates bill while those with an NAV of between £2,000 and £5,000 received 25 per cent relief.

“Since the introduction of the scheme in 2010, over 24 000 properties across Northern Ireland have benefited from this rates relief. In Carrickfergus, the figure has been 397 properties, in Larne it is 537 and in Newtownabbey 774 properties have benefited.

“I am pleased that we have been able to deliver this rates relief so that businesses can be helped to survive and expand.

“The Executive is committed to helping to grow the economy, and this is one way in which we have delivered and helped to keep people in employment.”