Parker welcomes rates relief for small post offices
Published: 24 September, 2009
Balmoral Sinn Féin representative Vincent Parker has welcomed proposals by the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson to include small post offices in the new rates relief scheme for businesses which is set to be in place in 2010.
Vincent Parker said,
"Sinn Féin recently called for the swift introduction of rates relief scheme here to assist small and medium businesses; particularly in the current economic climate.
"I am pleased, therefore, that the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson is now also considering proposals to support 540 small post offices by granting them rates relief. I think its very important to support our post office services in these very difficult economic times and to recognise not just the commercial realities within the Post Offices, but also the fundamental social role of the Post Office in our communities.
"It is expected that the rates relief scheme will significantly reduce the rates burden for about 16,000 smaller businesses across the North providing a much-needed boost for the economy.
"When you consider that small indigenous companies make up 98% of business here, it becomes clear that a rates relief scheme is long overdue in the North of Ireland.
"Such programmes are already in place in England, Scotland and Wales while the South offers very low rates of corporation tax.
"All of this is putting our small business sector at an unnecessary competitive disadvantage and I congratulate the Minister for taking action on this issue."
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