THE head of Northern Ireland Retail Consortium has described the rates hike facing businesses across all 11 districts in the north as “hugely disappointing”.
Neil Johnston said the average increase in the non-domestic rate struck by councils for 2023/24 is 7.29 per cent, with two councils agreeing to a double-digit increase.
Seven of the north’s 11 councils opted for a higher increase in the non-domestic rate than the domestic rate paid by householders.
The rate households and businesses face in the coming financial year will be known when the regional rate is struck.
Bills are calculated by using a combination of the council rate and regional rate, which is normally decided by Stormont.
In the current vacuum it will fall to the Northern Ireland Office.
The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (Nilga) said the financial pressure on councils make significant rates increases "unavoidable".
The biggest annual increase in the non-domestic rate is in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (11.53 per cent), with Derry and Strabane opting for a 10.67 per cent increase.
At 32.2655, Mid and East Antrim will have highest rate in the pound for domestic ratepayers in 2023/24, ahead of Derry and Strabane (32.0193) and Belfast (27.2045).
Antrim and Newtownabbey; Causeway Coast and Glens; Lisburn and Castlereagh; and Mid Ulster are the only four councils to settle on lower increases for businesses than householders.
“I am left asking myself ‘What did we do to deserve this?’,” said Neil Johnston.
“The average increase in the rate set by the eleven councils is 7.29 per cent. That amounts to a significant increase in costs for our members.
“Costs pressure can lead to price increases, and we know that is the last thing that consumers want to see.
“This move by the councils will not help businesses or consumers.
“Retail Consortium members have invested millions in, and employ hundreds of workers in, all eleven councils,” he added.
“It is hugely disappointing that business rates have not been frozen for the coming year in the way that they have been in England, Scotland and Wales.”
The retail director said: “We can only hope that the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton Harris will follow the example of his ministerial colleagues in England and not increase the regional rate element of our business rates.
“That really would add insult to injury.”
