To ask the Minister of Finance whether he will provide additional funding to District Councils in the next financial year in order to enable freezing of both the District and Regional Domestic and Non Domestic Rate in 2021-22.

I have no control over the District Rates set by Councils. However in recognition of the impact that COVID-19 has had on jobs and households I would encourage them to freeze District Rates in the same way as the Executive as frozen the Regional Rate.

The Executive has borne the full cost of rates holidays provided to businesses, with Councils receiving the full district rate income associated with those in receipt of support. This has protected Councils from lost income from businesses who may otherwise have been unable to pay rates.

Funding for local government is a matter for the Department for Communities and the Executive has provided that department with £85.3 million this year to provide support to Councils for Covid19. Should Councils need additional funding it would be for the Communities Minister to bring forward proposals.