Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

NI retailers criticise 'chunky' business rate hike

NI retailers criticise 'chunky' business rate hike
iStock image
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Northern Ireland retailers are calling on to reconsider "chunky" business rate hike that threatens to open up a yawning gap between the business rates multiplier faced by them and other businesses operating in England, Wales and Scotland.

Reacting to the proposal that business rates be raised by 15 per cent as part of a Stormont finance deal the Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Neil Johnston commented, “Business in Northern Ireland will resist both this ludicrously large increase in costs and any attempt to use the business sector as part of a political negotiation. It simply must not happen”


“It is ironic indeed on the day that it is announced that private sector jobs in Northern Ireland have reached all time high of very nearly 600,000 that the government should seek to effectively thwack the creators of those jobs and drag us into the political process.”

“In November NIRC led a coalition of 11 business organisations in a call for a regional rates freeze and that call has been endorsed by most of the main political parties.”

“We hoped to have had the support of the Secretary of State for that freeze as part of our efforts to bring business rates down into line with the rest of the UK. This proposed chunky hike threatens to open up a yawning gap between the business rates multiplier faced by retailers and other businesses operating in England, Wales and Scotland and what they pay in Northern Ireland. Indeed, we’ve yet to hear a convincing explanation as to why firms here in NI are better placed to be stumping up more in business rates than competitors or counterparts in GB."

“The Secretary of State appears to be trying to defy his own logic. Last year he froze the regional rate and less than twelve months later he is seeking an inflation busting and inflation stoking 15 per cent rise, well in excess of what the Chancellor has announced.“

“It is sad to see what could have been a cross party consensus in support of freezing the regional rate dragged into the political arena. We hope the parties will discuss this matter with the Secretary of State as a matter of urgency and remove this proposal from their deliberations.”

“Freezing the regional rate is the best way to support businesses and ultimately consumers during what are continuing to be difficult economic times.”

More for you

Nothing is more important than your Mental Elf

Nothing is more important than your Mental Elf

Lancashire Mind’s 11th Mental Elf fun run was its biggest and best yet – a sell-out event with more than 400 people running and walking in aid of the mental charity, plus dozens more volunteering to make the day a huge success.

The winter sun shone on Worden Park in Leyland as families gathered for either a 5K course, a 2K run, or a Challenge Yours’Elf distance which saw many people running 10K with the usual running gear replaced with jazzy elf leggings, tinsel and Christmas hats.

Keep ReadingShow less
A woman walks past a window display promoting an ongoing sale

A woman walks past a window display promoting an ongoing sale, on December 13, 2024 in London, England.

Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Retail sales disappoint before Christmas

UK retail sales rose less than expected in the runup to Christmas, according to official data Friday that deals a fresh blow to government hopes of growing the economy.

Separate figures revealed a temporary reprieve for prime minister Keir Starmer, however, as public borrowing fell sharply in November.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sybren Attema, and Betty Eekchaut

Presidents Sybren Attema, FrieslandCampina, and Betty Eekchaut, Milcobel

Yazoo parent FrieslandCampina announces merger with Belgian rival Milcobel

Dutch dairy collective FrieslandCampina has agreed to merge with smaller Belgian rival Milcobel, creating a leading dairy cooperative.

FrieslandCampina, whose brands include Yazoo and Chocomel, said the merger will provide the foundation for a future-oriented organisation that has dairy front and centre for member dairy farmers, employees, consumers, and customers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Retail Shoplifting. Man Stealing In Supermarket
Photo: iStock

Home Office reaffirms commitment to abolish £200 shoplifting threshold

The UK government has pledged stronger measures to combat anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, which it acknowledges as serious crimes that disrupt communities and harm businesses.

Addressing a House of Lords debate on Monday, Home Office minister Lord Hanson detailed plans to abolish the controversial £200 shoplifting threshold and to introduce a new offence for assaults on retail workers.

Keep ReadingShow less
post office store
Photo: Post Office Ltd

Post Office launches wellbeing hub to support postmasters amid rising retail crime

In response to the mounting pressures faced by postmasters across the UK, the Post Office has unveiled a centralised wellbeing platform aimed at simplifying access to support resources.

Post Office said the surge in shoplifting and violent incidents, documented in the 2024 ACS Crime Report, has only intensified the demand for comprehensive support.

Keep ReadingShow less