Firms ‘able to pay rates will be made contribute’
He also rejected suggestions that rates were having a major impact on the overall cost of running a commercial enterprise, pointing out he was not seeking an increase in rates this year and had not done so for five successive years.
“Electricity, oil and gas costs have a far greater impact (than rates). Since, 2009, for example, diesel has gone up by 47% and gas by 30%,’’ he said
