Every domestic ratepayer in Northern Ireland will receive an Annual Rates Statement, starting from next year.

The Annual Rates Statement, which will accompany rates bills, will give each ratepayer an indication of how much they are contributing through their rates to the provision of public services.

Finance Minister Simon Hamilton said: "Whilst much of my Department's attention in respect of rates over the next while will be on the many fundamental reforms the rating system is going through, the focus of the ratepayer is more likely to continue to be on what they get for their hard earned money.

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"None of us like to pay our rates bills. Many don't believe that they get value for money for what they pay. There isn't even clarity in many people’s minds about where the money goes.

"So, from next year, each domestic ratepayer in Northern Ireland will receive a personalised annual rates statement. This will give each household an indicative breakdown of where their rates go to. How much is spent on health, on education, on roads and all of our other public services."

(CD/MH)