14 September 2009 - Wilson supports enhanced rate relief for small post offices
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson is moving ahead with plans to support small post offices by granting them rate relief.
The Minister plans to do this through the Small Business Rate Relief scheme which will come into effect in April 2010, if the Assembly approves the required legislation.
Speaking today at Stormont, during a seminar organised by the National Federation of SubPostmasters to discuss the issues facing post offices in Northern Ireland, the Minister said: “Post Offices provide a vital service to their local communities. This particular measure will help to sustain our smaller post offices, which will be a particular help to those in isolated communities, both urban and rural.
“I want to deliver support for our local communities. The scheme I am bringing forward will ensure that our smaller post offices will not be faced with the burden of rates next year.
“Post Offices in Northern Ireland provide a wide range of services to the community including the facility to pay rate bills. In the last financial year that amounted to around £77 million collected from about 20% of all ratepayers. “
Secretary of the Northern Ireland branch of the National Federation of Sub Postmasters, Arthur McQuitty welcomed the scheme.
He said: “This will help sustain the post office business in the local community and brings us into line with similar schemes in Scotland and Wales. It is particularly welcome in the current economic climate.”
Notes to editors:
- The Small Business rate relief scheme will assist some 540 small post offices providing around £700,000 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.
- 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.
- The event, organized by the National Federation of SubPostmasters, had as its objectives a discussion on the issues facing the post office network, an exploration of the measures required to achieve sustainability and the identification and agreement on actions required of stakeholders. A panel representing the main political parties contributed.
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