To ask the Minister of Finance when she intends to (i) assess the 2019 Business Rates Review; and (ii) reopen the consultation to reflect the economic realities following the aftermath of the pandemic, rising energy costs and inflationary impacts.

My department has already implemented many of the key findings of the 2019 Business Rates Review.

In response to engagement with businesses, my department has put in place a regular non-domestic revaluation cycle delivering more frequent revaluations than England, Scotland, and Wales. Revaluations took place in 2015, 2020 and 2023 with planning underway for a Revaluation in 2026.

The Former Finance Minister, Conor Murphy extended the Small Business Rate Relief scheme and introduced an enhanced ‘Back In Business’ scheme to help new business ventures on our high streets. While that latter measure lapsed in the absence of an Executive, I intend to look at this in the coming weeks.

The Department is currently consulting on a range of Non-domestic and Domestic rating measures. Once the consultation closes on 13 February I will be assessing the findings of the consultation, alongside a number of other strategic areas that I wish to consider within the rating system.