Small businesses in Wales are set to benefit from a 30% reduction in business rates from April.
Plaid Cymru MSs for Ceredigion Penfro, Kerry Ferguson MS and Anna Nicholl MS, have welcomed the announcement from the new Plaid Cymru government. The cut applies to hospitality and leisure businesses across Wales.
The move follows a statement from the Welsh Government's Finance Cabinet Minister, who said the measure will 'give businesses confidence to invest, grow and keep serving the communities that rely on them' with a fully funded 30% cut for high street hospitality and leisure venues.
During the election, Plaid Cymru promised to breathe new life into Wales' town centres by supporting small businesses. The party says it has followed through on that promise in government with urgent action.
Plaid Cymru's Anna Nicholl MS said: "High streets are the beating heart of communities the length and breadth of Wales, our town centres are places we go to socialise, to shop, to spend time, to be a community. But they're under threat.
"Small businesses have been ignored for too long by the last Labour Government, and the cost-of-living crisis is making doing businesses more and more hard.
"That's why your new Plaid Cymru Government is cutting taxes for hospitality and leisure businesses on your high street by 30%. That's a massive saving for the pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants that make our town centres the brilliant places they are.
"That means the businesses you use day in day out can not only survive, but thrive.
"Plaid Cymru is giving them the breathing space to plan for the future, to help them grow, and help make our high streets vibrant community centres once again.
"During the election, Plaid Cymru promised to breathe new life into our high streets, we promised to undo the managed decline faced by our communities under Labour – and that's exactly what we're doing. This is Plaid Cymru working for Wales."
Kerry Ferguson MS added: "I'm really pleased to see the Government and Finance Minister moving quickly on adjustment for business rates to help our leisure and hospitality businesses flourish.
"High streets are changing with superstores and online shopping. Creating energetic town centres means more businesses that offer experiences to the public. This move to reduce business rates by 30% is one step in helping that regeneration. This is alongside other commitments made by the Government such as the Town Centre Taskforce which was established to champion the future of Welsh town centres."
