South Down MP Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) has welcomed the European Commission’s favourable decision on the compatibility of the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme (ALCS) with state aid rules. Speaking from Westminster, Ms Ritchie said:
“I was extremely happy to hear that the full decision of the European Commission that the ALCS was compliant with State aid rules and therefore that they did not need to order recovery , subject to the introduction of a scheme to allow for credits for aggregate imported into Northern Ireland between 2004 and 2010.
“The Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland deserves an enormous amount for credit for working constructively with the European Commission and the UK Treasury to secure this favourable outcome for the Northern Ireland aggregates industry. I have full confidence that they will support local operators as they submit claims for repayment of overpaid levy covering the period from 1 April 2004 – 30 November 2010.
“This decision means that the industry can move on with confidence and this is a boost for our wider construction industry. I will now continue to work to ensure that the UK Treasury re-instate the levy as quickly as possible and will be part of a delegation meeting Treasury Minister Priti Patel to discuss this next week.”
