Alliance Leader Responds to Larne Traders Economic Crisis Appeal
Alliance Party Leader, Naomi Long MLA, has responded to an economic crisis appeal by the Larne Area Business Community Group.
Having met with Stewart Dickson MLA, Danny Donnelly MLA, and local Councilors, at an ‘Energy and Cost-of-Doing-Business Crisis Meeting’ in Larne on the 19th October, the Community Group wrote to the Alliance Leader reiterating their concerns.
The Community Group’s key ask was: “What are you going to do today to help protect Businesses, Services, and Jobs?”
In response, Naomi Long MLA, sent the following letter to a representative of the Community Group:
Dear Brian,
Thank you for your letter and please accept my apologies for the short delay in my response.
East Antrim MLAs, Danny Donnelly and Stewart Dickson, raised this with me ahead of your meeting with them. They reported back to me and our Assembly and Westminster colleagues on the frustrations of your group and stressed the urgency of the situation.
Unfortunately, the rising costs that your members are facing are being replicated right across Northern Ireland and I am acutely aware of the short- and long-term impacts on our local economy of the ongoing energy and inflationary pressures. I also know that these challenges are only going to get worse over the winter months as decreasing footfall along with reduced customer spend will potentially make the situation even worse. I have been referring to this as a "cost-of-doing-business" crisis.
As a Party we are happy to support your action points, many of which are covered in our ‘Combatting the Crisis’ document published earlier this year:
1. We want to see an extension of business rates relief for a further six-month period for businesses that are disproportionately affected by energy costs, arising from UK Government grants in line with a wider UK-wide scheme from the UK Government.
2. We also want to see the commissioning of an independent review of the rating system to assess whether the system is fit for purpose following the pandemic and during this cost-of-living crisis. This is a commitment from our 2022 Assembly election manifesto.
3. While VAT is a responsibility of the UK Government, we are calling on the Government to provide additional respite for businesses in industries such as hospitality which are most exposed to fuel and food cost pressures, that are facing the worst impacts of cost increases, through a temporary, targeted reduction in VAT rates, as was done during the Covid-19 pandemic.
4. Six months does not allow for any sort of meaningful financial planning and we would welcome the return of the 2-year cap as previously announced. We believe, however, that this should be funded by a windfall tax on energy companies.
5. You are right that the best way to do this is to form an Executive and use the Assembly structures to help our community. Alliance MLAs have been ready to go to work since our election in May, it is what people voted for and it is what people expect of us. We are incredibly frustrated that we are now in a place of even greater uncertainty with no ministers in place at all. That isn’t good for public finances and services and limits any options to address local challenges directly through the Executive.
Our MP for North Down, Stephen Farry, will continue to push the UK Government to act, as our MLAs are currently blocked from delivering help to businesses and families alike. I will also use our ongoing discussions with the Northern Ireland Office to push for these action points to be implemented by the UK Government.
Finally, if I may, I'd also like to ask for your help and the help of your members with respect to point 5. We believe the only way to break this endless cycle of dysfunction and ransom politics is to reform the institutions, and our proposals for reform can be found here.
I am asking you to add your voice and the voice of your members and customers to the call for reform. You can sign our petition here:
It would also be helpful if people send an email to Chris Heaton- Harris (sos.Heaton-Harris@nio.gov.uk) telling him that you want to see a functioning Executive and Assembly and that we need to reform our institutions to provide the stability that business and our community needs.
I hope that this is helpful, but please don't hesitate to get in touch if we can be of further assistance.
Best regards,
Naomi
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