§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has carried out of the effects of charging rates on industrial and manufacturing premises in North Belfast. [127421]
§ Mr. PearsonThe decision to phase out industrial derating from 1 April 2005 over a seven-year period was taken following extensive consultation and various detailed assessments and analyses. These included Equality and Regulatory Impact Assessments at District Council level and New TSN analysis at Ward level. A specific evaluation was not carried out in respect of North Belfast. No contrary evidence emerged during the public consultation associated with the Equality Impact Assessments which ended on 8 July.
Proposals for a hardship relief scheme that would be available in exceptional circumstances will be published in a policy paper later in the year. This paper will also cover the issue of a new and/or small business relief scheme. These proposals will also be informed by separate Impact Analyses.