Today marks the end of the Public Consultation period on the Executive’s proposed Rates Levy on large retailers.

The proposed Levy would be the wrong tax at the wrong time – it would send a negative message to footloose retail companies at a time when Northern Ireland has the highest level of retail vacancy in the UK.

Our report published today sets-out an alternative package of measures to improve the Fairness, Efficiency and Effectiveness of the rates system to help SMEs at no extra cost to other ratepayers.

A copy of the report can be downloaded below – we welcome your feedback and any other ideas on how the rates system could be used imaginatively to promote economic development.