36 | TRAVEL TRADE NEWS
ANITA Echoes NI Business Consortium Calls on Rates Freeze
The Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium has called on the Secretary of State to freeze business rates for the coming year. NI already has the highest business rates in the UK and the NI Secretary of State mooted the possibility of a further increase for the coming year in a written parliamentary statement in late November. “What do the Conservatives in London,
Labour in Wales and the SNP in Scotland have in common? They all agree this is not the time to raise business rates. They have all decided to freeze business rates”, said Neil Johnston, the Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium. Damian Murphy of the Association of Northern Ireland Travel Agents said: “I can only echo what other sectors of the Northern Ireland economy are saying and a freeze on business rates is a must. “Indeed as far as the travel Industry are concerned I would call for a temporary reduction in rates we are paying to allow us to continue along the road to recovery. It is essential the Secretary of State remembers what we have been through in the last couple of years and a rise in rates anytime in the near future could be the death-nail for many.” The Retail Consortium represents the overwhelming majority of the retail trade in Northern Ireland by turnover, encompassing many high
street names who provide
everything from coffee to clothing, a lot of the larger retailers who sell products such as electrical goods, DIY items and gardening supplies, and virtually all the main
supermarkets. “Given the current weak economic situation the last thing businesses, and consumers, need to see is business rates rising. It is essential that they are at the very least frozen for 2023/24. We have written to Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State appealing to him not to go down this road.” Mr Johnston maintained that retailers were
still reeling from the pandemic, the energy price shock and the general inflationary situation and are ill placed to absorb any increases, especially as they strive to keep down shop prices for customers. “Raising the business rate is a bad idea
not just because of the extra burden it would impose on retailers but because ultimately consumers across Northern Ireland could face higher prices as a result. It is essential that we all work collaboratively to help everyone through this difficult period.” “Retailers are doing everything they can –
not just to remain competitive in a difficult trading environment but to do what they can to protect consumers. We know that people are struggling.” Mr Johnston also revealed that he has written to the leaders of the five main political parties asking them to back a business rates freeze. “We currently don’t have an Executive and that is why this decision has fallen to the Secretary of State but the Retail Consortium think it is important that the local party leaders make their positions clear. The freeze in England, Scotland and Wales was announced towards the end of last year. We need a decision soon and I hope they will join our call to keep costs down.”
nitravelnews.com | February 2023
ABTA 2023 Events
Programme to Support Industry in its Recovery and Developing Staff
ABTA has announced its events schedule for the first half of 2023 with a range of varied and high-quality conferences and training days designed to keep the travel industry up-to-date and develop skills and knowledge within the sector. The programme will provide insights and advice from key specialists and leaders in their fields, helping travel businesses continue their recovery from the pandemic and respond to emerging changes and challenges. With recruitment and retention an ongoing challenge for the industry, ABTA’s training events are there to upskill new or existing staff and offer a great way for travel companies to show how they are
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
