Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, spoke out during the Welsh Conservative debate on business rates with further calls for the Welsh Government to provide relief for businesses in Aberconwy.
In response to previous scrutiny of the Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans MS, Janet emphasised the point that whilst around half of the non-domestic rates tax-base in Wales is benefitting from full relief in 2022/23, the Welsh Government need to go further this Winter, such as by:
- Reintroducing the 100% business holiday for Retail, Leisure and Hospitality businesses;
- Reforming the dealings with the VOA so that rateable values are based on more up to date data, and appeals handled efficiently;
- Reintroducing business rate relief for privately owned hydropower schemes.
Commenting after the debate, Janet said:
Whilst the UK Government is taking decisive action to help businesses through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the Welsh Government should use the levers at its disposal to back businesses in Aberconwy too.
Business rates in Wales have increased by 10.1% in the last six years. Compare that with 3% in England, and 2.9% in Scotland.
Even the Federation of Small Businesses has stated that the current business rates system is contributing to empty shops.
Welsh Labour Government has made Wales the most un-business friendly corner of the United Kingdom.
It is time to reward businesses for having a presence on local highstreets.
ENDS
Fe wnaeth Janet Finch-Saunders, Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, ddweud ei dweud yn nadl y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig ar ardrethi busnes gyda galwadau pellach ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gynnig rhyddhad i fusnesau yn Aberconwy.
Mewn ymateb i graffu blaenorol, pwysleisiodd Rebecca Evans AS, y Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, y pwynt tra bod oddeutu hanner y sail dreth ardrethi annomestig yng Nghymru yn elwa ar ryddhad llawn yn 2022/23, mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru fynd ymhellach dros y Gaeaf eleni, megis drwy:
- Ailgyflwyno’r gwyliau busnes 100% i fusnesau Adwerthu, Hamdden a Lletygarwch;
- Diwygio’r trafodion gyda’r VOA fel bod gwerthoedd trethadwy yn cael eu seilio ar ddata mwy cyfoes, a delio ag apeliadau yn effeithlon;
- Ailgyflwyno rhyddhad ardrethi busnes ar gyfer cynlluniau ynni dŵr dan berchnogaeth breifat.
Gan roi ei sylwadau wedi’r ddadl, dywedodd Janet:
“Tra bod Llywodraeth y DU yn cymryd camau pendant i helpu busnesau drwy’r Cynllun Rhyddhad Biliau Ynni, dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ddefnyddio’r ysgogiadau sydd ganddi i gefnogi busnesau yn Aberconwy hefyd.
“Mae ardrethi busnes yng Nghymru wedi cynyddu 10.1% yn y chwe blynedd diwethaf. Cymharwch hynny gyda 3% yn Lloegr a 2.9% yn yr Alban.
“Mae hyd yn oed y Ffederasiwn ar gyfer Busnesau Bach wedi nodi bod y system ardrethi busnes presennol yn cyfrannu at siopau gwag.
“Mae Llywodraeth Llafur Cymru wedi gwneud Cymru y gornel fwyaf digroeso i fusnes yn y Deyrnas Unedig.
“Mae’n hen bryd gwobrwyo busnesau am gael presenoldeb ar strydoedd mawr lleol.”
DIWEDD
