The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's cross-community party

 David Ford

Rates review a missed opportunity: Ford

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jul 2004

Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, has criticised the Government's proposals for domestic rate charging in Northern Ireland.

Mr Ford said:

"The review of the rates system was a golden opportunity to move completely from an unfair, antiquated system based on property values, to one based on income.

"The rate system proposals today will require a number of exemptions for people living on low incomes, which will add complications and add to administrative costs.

"Only a system based on a local income tax would ensure that people pay on their ability, and not on the vagaries of the housing market."

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