19 June 2003 Ian Pearson Announces Consultation On Equality Impacts Of Reform Of The Domestic Rating System
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for Finance, Ian Pearson MP, has launched a 12-week consultation period on a report assessing the equality impacts of the proposed reform of the domestic rating system.
Announcing the consultation today, the Minister said:
"I announced in December last year, following an extensive public consultation exercise, that the domestic rating system should be based on capital values as opposed to rental values.
"The publication of this report is an important step in the policy development process to effect this change and directly relates to one of the key drivers of the Review of Rating Policy, launched by the Executive in May 2000, that of fairness and transparency. It remains Government's aim to ensure that the Executive is back in place to take decisions on this and many other issues as soon as possible."
Mr Pearson said that the report assesses the existing rental value system and three alternative capital value systems on the effects of their impact on the groups included in section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
He stressed the importance of consultation on the equality dimensions of the proposed reform of the domestic rating system:
"The Equality Impact Assessment process is an integral part of the public policy development and decision-making process. This report, which will be subject to continuous revision throughout the EQIA process, is designed to draw out the key equality issues and in particular to obtain further evidence and suggestions to mitigate adverse impacts from those who respond. "The move from rental to capital values in the domestic sector received clear support during the public consultation phase of the Review last year. Reform is necessary and naturally will be of considerable interest to all householders in Northern Ireland. The outcome of this consultation on the equality impacts will guide the shape of reform. I intend to publish a consultation paper on the nature of the proposed reforms later this year."
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. The publication of the Initial Assessment of Impacts report initiates the formal consultation stage of the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) process in respect of the reform of the domestic rating system. It follows the decision in December last year to change the basis of the domestic valuation system from rental values to capital values.
2. The Department has given an undertaking to carry out an EQIA on each policy or group of co-joined policies where screening has indicated that there may be significant equality implications. These statutory duties are contained in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
3. An EQIA aims to identify whether, within each section 75 category, the policy under consideration creates differential impacts between groups and whether those impacts are adverse or have the potential to enhance equality of opportunity between groups.
4. This Initial Assessment of Impacts on the domestic rating system has taken place within the context of the Review of Rating Policy, the aim of which is to put in place a system of local property taxation that is effective, efficient, equitable and broadly acceptable
5. Any comments on the initial Assessment, particularly in terms of the existence of further evidence which can be analysed as part of the EQIA process and any suggestions relating to measures which may mitigate any adverse impacts, should be submitted to the Department by 12 September 2003.
6. This report, which is intended as the basis for consultation, will be subject to continuing revision throughout the EQIA process. Responses to it and further issues arising from it will be summarised and included in the final EQIA report which will be published with the Domestic Rating Reform policy paper later this year.
7. A copy of the report can be viewed at the Review of Rating Policy's website i.e. http://www.nics.gov.uk/ratingpolicy.
