Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average rate of increase in(a) the non-domestic regional rate and (b) the domestic regional rate.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe regional rate for 1989–90, as published in the Rates (Regional rate) Order (Northern Ireland) 1989, is 138.07p, an increase of 12.63 per cent. on last year's rate of 122.59p. This rate applies unadjusted to all non domestic ratepayers.
Domestic ratepayers have benefited, for many years, from an allowance of 12p in the pound in the form of a domestic rate aid grant. This has the effect of reducing the charge on them this year to 126.07p, an increase of 14 per cent. on last year's rate of 110.59p. Since the domestic rate is set at a level 12p lower than the regional rate, its percentage increase is calculated on a lower base and will, therefore, always be higher than the percentage rise in the regional rate.