Debate contribution: Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Debate contribution by Mr John O'Dowd on 10 March 2026.

MLA

Mr John O'Dowd

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

10 March 2026

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5436756

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.

Before dealing with the order, I will set out the background to the measure. The purpose of today's legislation is to extend the Back in Business scheme for the 2026-27 year. The scheme is designed to bring long-term vacant high-street properties back into use, specifically those that have been empty for at least 12 months and are unlikely to be reoccupied without support. The scheme was first introduced as part of a package of measures aimed at assisting ailing businesses and improving the appearance of our town and city centres after the economic downturn. The original scheme provided a concession that allowed a 50% reduction to apply for the new occupier for one year only. The current scheme applies the 50% tax concession for 24 months to build a solid platform for new business occupation in the difficult first two years of trading. I recently visited a business in Mid Ulster that had taken over a property that had been vacant for nine years. That premises is likely to have stayed empty for much longer without the scheme. It is now a modern enterprise, boosting footfall for neighbouring businesses. The business owners emphasised how important the two-year rates discount had been in helping with cash flow; it allowed them to invest in their venture. Our high streets and shops are vital in supporting the local economy and employment. For many, they are essential for not only their daily supplies but meeting and socialising with others. They are at the heart of our local communities. Since the introduction of the scheme, 113 new and expanding businesses have availed themselves of the support, breathing new life into previously empty premises and, in the case of new premises, creating new jobs and employment in local towns. In November, I signalled my intention to develop a second phase to build on the scheme's success. In the new rating year, I will bring forward consultation proposals on a business growth accelerator that will defer increased rates for businesses that are expanding their premises. In the meantime, today's extension will mean that Land and Property Services (LPS) will be able to accept new applications until 31 March 2027. Crucially, it will allow the scheme to become a longer-term part of our wider package of business rate supports. I view it as a policy that will make a stable and substantive difference, helping to grow businesses, particularly in our town centres and on our arterial routes. Critically, it will moderate the business rate liability in the difficult first few years of trading, providing some certainty for businesses about their overheads and helping them to budget. It will also help them to adjust to paying full rates in due course, and it will grow the tax base in the medium to long term. Meanwhile, in the short term, the Department will generate the same revenue as it would have, had the property remained vacant. I will turn to the statutory rule. The Finance Committee has been advised on the detail of the SR, and its members indicated, at SL1 stage in December, that they were content for the scheme to be continued until 31 March 2027. At its meeting last Wednesday, the Committee agreed that the statutory rule should be affirmed by the Assembly. Article 1 of the order is the citation and commencement. Article 2 provides for the amendment of article 31D of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, importantly substituting a new end date of 31 March 2027 for the scheme. I look forward to Members' comments. I commend the Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order 2026 to the Assembly.

614 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:12 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification