Rates crisis is not yet resolved - New Executive must act quickly

10.05.06am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Apr 2007

South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo

South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo has stated that the new Executive must urgently address the potential rates crisis locally because current plans hit those on low incomes very hard. She stated that a cap on rates is an unfair measure.

Anna Lo MLA said: "The rates crisis has not disappeared. It is another issue, like water charges, which must be tackled quickly by the new Executive.

"The tribal parties have been very quiet on rates since the election and seem to be accepting the cap. A rates cap will help people with high value houses, to the detriment of those living in lower priced housing.

"It does not take into account the income of homeowners. It is a reverse Robin Hood policy - it essentially takes from the poor and gives to the rich.

"We wish to see an income based system to work out rates bills, not this crude capping measure.

"At the moment it looks like the Executive parties will not scrap the cap. We will be keeping the pressure on them to get rid of this unjust measure and introduce a fair income-based system."

ENDS