Protest planned over rates hike

Finance minister Mark Durkan outlined the buget

Traders throughout Northern Ireland are planning to mount protests against an 8% rate hike announced in the budget.

Owners of small or medium sized businesses are complaining that they will be forced out of business by the increase which follows a 9% hike in electricity costs.

The rates increase was proposed as part of a £6 billion spending plan introduced by the province's finance minister Mark Durkan.

The issue of the rates hike was the only significant point to spark opposition in the budget which was passed following a cross-community vote just before Christmas.

An amendment from Sinn Fein, opposing a rates rise, was defeated.

'Appalled at increase'

Assembly member Alex Maskey had urged the reduction of the proposed 8% increase to the rate of inflation.

Meanwhile, the South Belfast MP, Rev Martin Smyth, said he was appalled at the proposed 8 % rate increase on small businesses over the next three years.

In a statement on Monday, he said he sympathised with small shopkeepers serving local communities.

"It will not be large shopping precincts which will put these businesses out, increase unemployment and deprive citizens of such outlets.

"it will be extortionate rate increases," he said.