Executive agrees Regional Rate for 2026/27
Date published:
The Executive has agreed the Regional Rate for domestic and non-domestic properties for 2026/27.
It has taken the same approach as 2025/26 with an increase of 5.0% for domestic properties and an increase of 3.0% for non-domestic properties. The proposal on the domestic regional rate element of the bill of an uplift of 5% would add 63p per week to the average household bill.
Finance Minister John O’Dowd said: “Rates currently raise over £1.6billion annually providing vital funding for our hospitals, childcare, schools, and other essential council services that support our communities. The regional rate agreed today will raise just over £900million for the Executive for the 2026/27 year.
“With many households still feeling the pressure of rising living costs, and businesses facing increased costs, the Executive has aimed to strike a balance between raising the revenue required to support essential public services and protecting workers, families and businesses from unnecessary financial strain.”
The Minister continued: “The Executive’s decision to keep the domestic uplift at the same level as last year is a recognition of the cost of living pressures felt by households. Keeping the non-domestic rate below the current rate of inflation reflects the pressures facing local businesses and their vital role in supporting jobs in our local communities and driving local growth.
“Domestic ratepayers have access to a targeted, means‑tested package of help that serves to provide support for low-income households. 75% of non‑domestic properties benefit from rate relief, offering around a quarter of a billion pounds in much‑needed support.”
The Minister concluded: “These uplifts, to be debated in the Assembly in March, would generate an additional £47million of funding power during 2026/27, compared to Budget 2025-26, for our vital public services that our citizens and businesses rely on.”
Notes to editors:
1. A copy of the Minister’s Written Ministerial statement is available at: www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/written-ministerial-statement-regional-rate-2026-27
2. It is important to note that the average capital value of a domestic property is different from the market value. The valuations used in the Domestic Valuation List are based on the value of 1st January 2005 – the £123,000 is the average figure for a domestic figure in that list.
3. The rate of inflation figures available at the time of the Executive’s decision was 3.4% using December CPI figure published on the 21 January 2026.
4. Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI) principal repayments have a first call on the Regional Rates, with a forecast repayment of £130.5 million in 2026-27, the total available to fund wider public services is £770million.
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