Speaking from the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association has welcomed the pledge by Labour leader Ed Milliband to reduce Business Rates for Small Businesses if Labour xa0are elected in 2015.
The Northern Ireland Executive will be given additional funding to implement the rates reduction locally.xa0Glyn Roberts said:xa0″Given that we have nearly one in four shops empty in Northern Ireland this is a very welcome pledge by the Labour leader which we strongly support.
“Such a reduction could build upon the successful Small Business Rate Relief Scheme in Northern Ireland to support local traders who struggle to pay their rates bills.
“That being said, we do have reservations about this cut being funded by removing the proposed Corporation Tax reduction.
“I will be meeting the Shadow Secretary of State for NI Vernon Coaker today to discuss the parties proposals further.”
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