27 June 2006 Rates burden removed for young people in training or education.
Young people in full-time education and training will now be exempt from paying domestic rates and eligible for the new water charge affordability tariff.
The move, one of a number of domestic rate relief packages to vulnerable groups to be announced next Monday, aims to encourage more young people to stay on in education or training and brings Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. It was unveiled today by the Secretary of State, Peter Hain, during a visit to North Down and Ards Institute in Bangor.
Speaking during the visit, Mr Hain outlined what the move would mean to young people and said: “
I am keen to ensure that as many of our young people as possible remain in full-time education and training. By bringing Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK, I am removing a potential barrier for those who wish to continue their learning, ensuring they can avail fully of the opportunities education and training can afford them.
“Through it, we can improve the chances of people obtaining the relevant qualifications and skills that local businesses need and demand in order for them to thrive and compete in an ever changing global marketplace”.
The package will provide full relief from rates and eligibility for the new water affordability tariff to those in full-time training and education where they are either the sole occupant of a property, or where every member of the household is in education or training. A full exemption from rates will also be awarded on University Halls of Residence. In addition, all those aged 16 and 17 and all those leaving care, up to age 21, will also be fully exempt from rates. All these measures will take effect from April 2007.
During the visit, Mr Hain met young people from the Bangor area who are involved in the Vocational Enhancement Programme, which operates between schools and Further Education colleges.
This programme provides opportunities for young people to progress into further and higher education. It widens the pathways provided for them to ensure that they are aware of all the career paths available to them.
Mr Hain continued:
“The new relief for those in full time education and training is vital given the shortcomings in the benefit system.
“By and large the majority of people in full time training and education are not entitled to housing benefit which would assist them with their rates, nor would they otherwise be eligible for the new rate relief and water affordability tariff. We want to rectify this and ensure that assistance is provided to this group and disincentives to remaining in full time education and training are minimised.
“Full relief from rates and access to the water affordability tariff will, in tandem with a number of other policy initiatives, such as the ten year Children and Young People Strategy which was announced last week by Children’s Minister, Maria Eagle, help reduce under achievement and improve the life chances of young people so that they have the best start possible.
“The new relief for those in full time education and training is a key mitigating measure against the relative exclusion of this group from other reliefs that are available more generally.”
Notes for Editors
1.Reform of the domestic rating system in entering into its final stages with the capital values of all domestic properties due to be published from the beginning of July.
2.The new relief from rates will be awarded on a property that is solely occupied by those in full time training and further and higher education, 16 and 17 year olds and young people leaving care. Where others occupy the property, those occupants will still be required to pay a rates bill.
3.The relief will be applied for, and awarded to, the ratepayer of the property. Evidence will have to be provided that all of the occupants fall into one of the three categories.
4.Under, the new Private Tenancies Order, landlords will be required to provide tenants with a written statement of tenancy terms and a rent book which sets out the annual rent and rates payable on the property. This will serve to make students aware of the rate relief they might be expected to receive.
Young people, rates, Secretary of State, Hain, full time education, rating
