Council domestic rates published

The domestic rate goes towards refuse collection and leisure

Domestic rates for Northern Ireland's 26 district councils have been published by the Department of Environment.

The lowest district rate for households is in Castlereagh, where the rate is set at about 18p in the pound.

The highest district household rate, for services such as bin collection and leisure, is in Craigavon at 34p.

The domestic district rate will be added to the regional rate to make up the household rates bills.

The DoE said it was not possible to compare this year's domestic rate with last year's due to changes in the way the rates are now calculated.

The finance minister David Hanson last week announced a 6% rise in the regional rate.

The sharpest rise in non-domestic or business rates bill is in Ballymena, County Antrim, where there will be a rate increase of more than 10%.

The lowest rise is in Banbridge which remains virtually unchanged.

Castlereagh, even with a 5% rise, boasts the lowest non-domestic rates, with Moyle the highest.