Today I spent a considerable amount of time visiting businesses in Brecon, in Llandrindod Wells, and in Knighton. Despite what Rhodri Morgan told me in First Minister’s questions a few weeks ago, I have yet to find a business that will be paying less in business rates next year as compared with this year. It is true to say that some have got smaller increases than others, but that is scarcely surprising.
Today I met a business that will be paying £30,000 more per year in business rates next year than this year. That is truly massive and horrific, especially given the state of the economy.
In England, where there are also increases, there is at least the prospect of some transitional relief. It seems the Minister privately has said that is not going to happen in Wales. One of the frustrations in Wales, of course, is that we still don’t know what the Minister’s thinking is on small business rate relief or on transitional relief. We are relying on what he has told some Labour MPs rather than any statement he has made to the Assembly. I raised this with the Presiding Officer as a Point of Order some weeks ago and he encouraged the Minister to come and make an oral statement to the Chamber on the issue. Still we wait.
It is late evening before I depart from Brecon and there is mist and driving rain. Driving through the constituency in this sort of weather one could almost be anywhere, except for the smell of garlic (a smell I love). This reminds me I must be near Beacon Foods in Brecon.
I will raise the issue of business rates in the Assembly this Tuesday, once more, to highlight the plight of businesses which affects, of course, the livelihoods of my constituents in Mid & West Wales.
The prospect of some transitional relief. It seems the Minister privately has said that is not going to happen in Wales.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a nice opportunity to invest in this kind of business as it has the least tension and th output is too much. I can feed my family in a better way with this business.
ReplyDeleteAccording to me investing in such a project at this point of time would not only secure ones future but also give out good returns in the future.
ReplyDeleteOne of the irritations in Wales, indeed, is that we still don’t recognize what the Minister’s view is on small business rate release or on midway release.
ReplyDeleteIf i was given a chance to head this project or to decide what would i do with the money i have my simple answer would have been to invest in a project like this. I am still waiting for such a chance.
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