Lee Barron says he will call for benefit reforms to be reviewed if vulnerable people are hit.

Many small firms in Montpelier have seen their businesses rates more than double in the past year.

Employers count the cost of a triple whammy of National Insurance, business rates and wage rises.

Belfast City Council has the highest percentage uplift of 5.99%, while Ards and North Down and Causeway Coast and Glens came in the lowest at 3.65%.

Andrea McCombie says changes in the Budget have already made things "really difficult" for charities.

Direct debits for council tax and business rates were taken on 27 December rather than on 2 January.

Mum-of-three Danielle Cooper says high costs and mounting debt forced her to quit the high street.

Shop owners in Aberystwyth say business rates in the town are too high and call for re-evaluation.