Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Boylan welcomes rates relief for small post offices

Published: 26 September, 2009

Newry/Armagh Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has welcomed proposals by the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to include small post offices in the new rates relief scheme for businesses which is set to be in place in 2010.

Mr. Boylan said:

"Sinn Féin recently called for the swift introduction of rates relief scheme here to assist small and medium businesses; particularly in the current economic climate

"I am pleased that the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson is now also considering proposals to support 540 small post offices by granting them rates relief. I think it's very important to support our post office services in these very difficult economic times and to recognise not just the commercial realities with the Post Offices, but also the fundamental social role of the Post Office in our communities.

"It is expected that the rates relief scheme will significantly reduce the rates burden for about 16,000 smaller businesses across the North providing a much-needed boost for the economy.

"When you consider that small indigenous companies make up 98% of business here, it becomes clear that a rates relief scheme is long overdue in the North of Ireland.

"Such programmes are already in place in England, Scotland and Wales while the South offers very low rates of corporation tax.

"All of this is putting our small business sector at an unnecessary competitive disadvantage and I congratulate the Minister for taking action on this issue." EMDS

Notes to editors:

  1. The Small Business rate relief scheme will assist some 540 small post offices providing around ?00,000 rate relief per year. It will be based on net annual value criteria and will be awarded automatically without the need for an application process.
  2. The scheme will require primary legislation to be passed through the Assembly. As a result the earliest relief for post offices could be introduced is 1 April 2010