The Welsh Government is consulting on a new small business rates relief scheme and the local AM for Montgomeryshire is urging all businesses in Mid Wales to make their views known.
The Welsh Government consultation, which is open until October 13th, is seeking views from a broad range of stakeholders on the policy proposals for developing a new permanent scheme to support businesses from the 2018-19 financial year onwards.
Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, said:
"I'm urging all businesses in Montgomeryshire to make their views known on this vitally important consultation.
"The Welsh Government have had the devolved levers available to them to reform business rates and put an end to a great deal of anguish since 2013 but they have been so far slow to act.
"As of April, business rate relief – essentially a full rebate – has been available to English businesses with a rateable value of up to £12000, whereas in Wales full relief is still only available to businesses with a rateable value of up to £6000, placing Welsh businesses at a crippling disadvantage.
"I have consistently campaigned for the 100% relief threshold to apply to businesses with a rateable value up to £12000, to give small and medium enterprises the spare cash to grow.
"Small firms are the lifeblood of the Mid Wales economy, representing 99% of all registered businesses, but this fact isn’t being reflected in Wales’ regressive taxation policies.
"I and my colleagues will keep up the pressure in pressing for equity for Mid Wales' businesses and I urge all business owners to also make their views known loud and clear by responding to the consultation."
The Welsh Government consultation is open until October 13th and is available by following this link: