In response to a question posed by the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, which urged the Welsh Government to review the business funding support eligibility rules for self-catering accommodation owners, the First Minister has committed to “look at the specific issue”, committing to providing a written update in due course.
Under the present criteria, self-catering accommodation properties will not be eligible for the grant support on offer unless the self-catering property is for 30 people or more, or the self-catering accommodation is classed as an outdoor education centre. Local authorities currently have no discretionary powers surrounding this decision.
Commenting on the positive review commitment, Janet said:
“Many self-catering accommodation owners have contacted my office in despair as they cannot access financial support, despite having lost bookings worth thousands. It is wholly unfair that the Welsh Government have created a ridiculous rule that self-catering properties have to be for 30 people or more.
“This is why I have questioned the First Minister today, urging his administration to act on the avoidable issues raised by changing the eligibility rules for self-catering accommodation owners, as well as consider increasing the funding available to help save the sector and jobs.
“Our self-catering accommodation properties remain an integral and important link in our tourism offer. To have their viability undermined by a continuation of these unreasonable rules would be unacceptable. I am delighted that the First Minister has committed to review the situation as a direct result of my intervention.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
