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Date: 03 Feb 2025
Elected members at Belfast City Council have agreed an increase in the district rate for 2025/26 of 5.99 per cent.
In real terms, this means an average weekly increase of:
- £0.40 for a terraced property
- £0.62 for a three-bed terraced property
- £1.37 for a four-bed detached property
- £0.39 for an apartment
- £10.39 for an office property
- £8.51 for a retail property
Members also agreed that the rate could be re-examined – up until the date by which the rates must be legally set (15 February) – in the event of funds coming from the NI Executive to cover increases in National Insurance contributions.
Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said:
“While there has been an increase in rates again this year, all parties have worked to keep this year’s rise as low as possible, and the increase reflects the rise in national insurance contributions brought in by the UK Government.
"Like other organisations, the council has also been impacted by ongoing external pressures, including inflationary and pay pressures, but we have worked hard again this year to deliver significant savings to absorb these extra costs.
“I believe that we have shown responsible leadership by achieving the right balance between supporting communities, businesses and vulnerable people who are affected by the ongoing the cost-of-living crisis, while continuing to maintain our key services and invest in local communities.”
Belfast City Council has already invested:
- £300 million in council facilities, including £105 million in new leisure centres
- £9 million in the Local Investment Fund
- £28 million in the Belfast Investment Fund
- £4 million in the Social Outcomes Fund
- £18.77 million in the City Centre Investment Fund
- £10 million in the Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund
- securing £850 million towards Belfast Region City Deal, including £100 million for the new Belfast Stories visitor attraction.
Councillor Murphy added: “Today’s decision means that we will be able to continue to invest in our vital frontline services, including our parks, leisure centres and sports pitches. It also enables us to extend our glass recycling collection service to more households in the year ahead.
“We will also continue to invest in the city to deliver growth in the rate base, which, in turn, will generate income for the council to help cover our costs.
“Elected members are committed to ongoing scrutiny of council spending, and we will strive to make our services more efficient and financially sustainable wherever that is possible.”
For more information about how council uses rates, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/rates
For advice on rates housing benefit and rates relief, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates-help