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A major employers group claims plans to impose rates on Northern Irish industry will devastate the economy and cost thousands of jobs.

As the government prepares to review its move to introduce industrial rates, the BBC reports that the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group (NIMFG) will be campaigning against the decision across the province this week.

NIMFG member Michael Wightman said: "We will brief as many election candidates as possible in their own constituencies about the job losses which will happen if industrial rates are introduced in full."

The group said its campaign - running for over two years - had successfully achieved an industrial rate of 30 per for one year, as well as local political party support.

It believes that thousands of jobs will be lost and the NI economy will be devastated should the move go ahead but it foresees continued opposition from itself and its members.

Mr Wightman added: "With the return of the Northern Ireland Assembly a distinct possibility we want to make sure that prospective MLAs are clear on the importance of the issue, and on what needs to be done.