Small businesses are the beating hearts of our communities, creating jobs for local people and bringing investment to boost our high streets.
That’s the message Welsh Conservative members will be pushing during a Senedd debate today (Dec 1) ahead of Small Business Saturday on December 4th.
The Welsh Conservatives will call on the Labour administration to continue to support small businesses through changes in procurement policy across the public sector to help them recover from the pandemic.
The Party’s call comes just days before Small Business Saturday, now in its ninth year, which encourages people to shop local.
Last year’s Small Business Saturday saw 15.4 million people across the UK support local shops, spending a record £1.1 billion.
There are 265,340 micro, small and medium sized businesses across Wales employing nearly 740,000 people and turning over £46 billion a year.
However, as we work to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic, it is vital they carry on being supported as much as possible by the Labour Government.
Business rates are the highest costs most small businesses face after rent and wages, placing an excessive burden on them with Welsh businesses paying the highest rates in Great Britain.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for the Economy, Paul Davies MS, said:
“Small businesses are the beating heart of the Welsh economy and it’s vital we do all we can to protect them as we work to recover from the pandemic.
“Not only do they create jobs for local people, but they are also heavily involved in communities and provide innovative and diverse services to local economies across the country.
“Labour ministers must provide economic support and an environment where businesses can flourish and grow by opening up procurement to small businesses and matching the UK Government’s pledge to slash business rates by 50% for next year.
“Ministers have the power and the funding to support our businesses and I hope politicians of all colours across the Senedd support our motion, which will benefit people and communities all across Wales.”
