THE MP for Aberconwy has welcomed news that Welsh retail, leisure and hospitality businesses will receive a 50 per cent discount on rates next year.

When the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, unveiled the UK Budget in October, he announced that businesses operating in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector would be supported by being made eligible for a 50 per cent discount on businesses rates from April 2022.

As business rates are devolved in Wales, Robin Millar, MP for Aberconwy, immediately called for the Welsh Government to match this discount for businesses in Wales.

He worked with the UK Government to ensure that financial support was provided to ensure that the discount could be implemented in the Welsh Government Budget.

The Welsh Government published its Budget yesterday (December 20) and has confirmed that this discount will be available in Wales.

Following this announcement, Mr Millar said: “I welcome the news that the Welsh Government has confirmed that retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in Wales are to receive a 50 per cent discount on their business rates.

“Tourism and hospitality, along with retail, are the heart of our local economy.

“But they have suffered disproportionately throughout the forced closures and restrictions throughout the pandemic.

“I have tracked the support made available to businesses in England and Wales since COVID-19 struck and I was concerned that, if the 50 per cent discount was not matched, then businesses here would be at an economic disadvantage to those in England, and that their ability to continue creating invaluable jobs and training opportunities would be curtailed.

“The ‘tourism tax’ included in the Welsh Labour – Plaid Cymru Cooperation Agreement made these concerns more serious.

“I have hosted several round table meetings with Aberconwy businesses and industry representatives since October and the need for this support couldn’t be clearer.

“I took their concerns to the UK Government and worked with colleagues to ensure that the Welsh Government has the financial resources to provide this discount here.

“Funding for the Welsh Government is now at the highest since devolution began and this discount is being funded through consequential funding from the UK Government.

“In addition to all this support, the UK Government has supported Wales’ response to the pandemic with an additional £9 billion since April 2020.

“I'm grateful that funding is finding its way to the businesses that need it."