The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's cross-community party

 David Ford

Concern that NI will be 'rates test case'

11.50.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 30th Apr 2006

Portrait-yellow: LONG Naomi (photography: Allan Leonard)

Alliance Deputy Leader, Naomi Long

Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long has said people in Northern Ireland have every right to be concerned about the region being used as a test case for revaluing properties for rates.

Speaking on the BBC's "Politics Show", the East Belfast Assembly member stated: "It is a matter of extreme concern that Northern Ireland is being used as a test case for re-rating, prior to changes in England and Wales.

"This is very similar to the use of Scotland as a test case for the introduction of the Poll Tax.

"We have already had a 20% increase this year and potential for a 25% increase next year. Now we are being threatened with another 40% in order supposedly to 'equalize' our bills with England.

"In this week where we have seen serious misjudgements from three prominent Government ministers in London, the prospect of Northern Ireland being used as a financial test case by the current Government, with the resultant soaring rates, is worrying."

ENDS

Bookmark this story at: del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg FacebookFacebook redditreddit StumbleUponStumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Previous news story: High Hedges legislation must be made priority (Sun 30th Apr 2006).
Next news story: Irish Cup ticketing arrangements show alarming lack of judgment (Mon 1st May 2006).

Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 82b Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BX.
Published and promoted by The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, 88 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE.
The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.