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| Developers face extra tax charge | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Developers who leave land derelict to avoid rates should face extra taxation, Stormont's Finance Committee has said. | Developers who leave land derelict to avoid rates should face extra taxation, Stormont's Finance Committee has said. |
| It claims such a move would boost the construction of affordable housing and economic development while raising more taxation. | It claims such a move would boost the construction of affordable housing and economic development while raising more taxation. |
| The committee also recommended that over 75s should be given a discount on their rates bill. | |
| However, it also said discounts for people living alone would be "a blunt instrument and open to fraud". | |
| The committee's response to the executive's review of the domestic rating system is published on Tuesday. | The committee's response to the executive's review of the domestic rating system is published on Tuesday. |
| Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said: "We believe that if a derelict land tax was introduced on that basis it would deter land banking. | Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said: "We believe that if a derelict land tax was introduced on that basis it would deter land banking. |
| "Domestic rates are a key element of local funding and the regional rate, in particular, has increased significantly in recent years. | "Domestic rates are a key element of local funding and the regional rate, in particular, has increased significantly in recent years. |
| "The reforms introduced by the direct rule administration in April 2007, particularly the impact on pensioners, have attracted mounting criticism." | "The reforms introduced by the direct rule administration in April 2007, particularly the impact on pensioners, have attracted mounting criticism." |
| 'Hopeful' | 'Hopeful' |
| Mr McLaughlin added that he was hopeful most of the committee's 33 recommendations would be accepted. | Mr McLaughlin added that he was hopeful most of the committee's 33 recommendations would be accepted. |
| These included re-doubling efforts to improve take-up of rates relief and further consideration of road charging. | These included re-doubling efforts to improve take-up of rates relief and further consideration of road charging. |
| Some changes can be made relatively quickly but those like road charging would take longer to introduce. | Some changes can be made relatively quickly but those like road charging would take longer to introduce. |