Northern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) Act
Official Summary
A Bill to make provision about the regional rate in Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2019; and amend the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.
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Overview
This bill sets the regional rate for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2019 and amends the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme Regulations 2012. It specifies the rate and makes changes to the RHI scheme's payment structure, particularly affecting small and medium biomass installations.
Description
The bill has two main parts:
Regional Rates
Section 1 sets the regional rate for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2019. It specifies a rate of 33.41 pence in the pound on rateable net annual values and 0.4365 pence in the pound on rateable capital values. This rate can be varied by an order from the Department, but only after all Ministerial offices are filled following the bill's passage.
Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
Section 2 amends the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2012. Key changes include altering the tariff structure for small and medium biomass installations accredited before 18 November 2015. These tariffs are adjusted based on the Retail Prices Index for 2017 for the period from the bill’s enactment to 31 March 2019. The bill also introduces a two-tier tariff system for these installations (Tier 1 and Tier 2) with a cap on payments for heat generated above a certain threshold (400,000 kWhth).
Government Spending
The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated. The changes to the RHI scheme are likely to affect the amount of public funds paid out under the scheme, potentially resulting in reduced expenditure due to the tariff adjustments and payment caps. Exact figures are not provided in the bill text.
Groups Affected
- Ratepayers in Northern Ireland: Affected by the level of regional rates set in the bill.
- Participants in the RHI Scheme (particularly those with small and medium biomass installations accredited before 18 November 2015): Experience changes to their support payments, possibly resulting in lower payments than previously anticipated.
- Northern Ireland Government: Responsible for implementing the changes and managing the resulting financial implications.
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