27 January 2026
SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin has challenged Sinn Féin for attempting to blame the British Government for rising business rates while pressing ahead with an Executive rates revaluation that will pile further pressure on local hospitality and retail businesses.
The Foyle MLA was speaking after raising the issue during Question Time at the Assembly, where she warned that businesses are already closing their doors due to rising costs, with serious consequences for jobs, town centres and local economies.
Ms McLaughlin said:
“Across Northern Ireland we are seeing more and more small retail, pubs and hospitality businesses closing their doors because costs have become unbearable. When I raised this in the Assembly today, the Economy Minister sought to blame the British Government’s rates hike and austerity.
"Of course decisions taken by Westminster have done huge damage to our economy, and continue to place pressure on families, businesses and public services. But Sinn Féin cannot use that as a cover for making things worse here at home. The reality is that the Executive is now pressing ahead with a damaging rates revaluation that will increase costs and force more hospitality businesses over the edge.
“The Economy Minister regularly says she values small businesses and wants to support our high streets. Those words ring hollow while her Executive colleague continues with a rates revaluation that will hit the hospitality sector hardest.
“Pubs, hotels and hospitality venues are at the heart of our communities. They support jobs, local suppliers and the wider economy. When they close, we lose far more than a business. That is why I challenged the Minister today to show leadership and call on her party colleague the Finance Minister John O’Dowd to pause or reverse this revaluation before more businesses and jobs are lost.
“It is totally within the Finance Minister’s purview to do this – this is a devolved issue that will do untold damage to a sector that is already on its knees.”