Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Small Businesses: North Wales

Thursday 25 January 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rob Roberts asked whether the Minister had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on support for small businesses in north Wales.
  • The Minister stated that she regularly meets with Welsh Ministers through inter-ministerial fora to discuss policy issues.
  • Rob Roberts pointed out that the Welsh Labour Government is reducing rate relief for the hospitality sector, and the Minister criticized this decision, calling for the maintenance of the 75% relief rate.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Roberts
Scotland Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The question stems from discussions on whether the government's support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in north Wales is adequate, especially given recent changes by the Welsh Government.

Question

Whether she has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on the adequacy of Government support for small businesses in north Wales. SMEs across Wales have access to a range of UK Government services designed to help them grow and thrive. However, there is concern that this support may not be adequate.

Answer from Greg Hands

I regularly meet Ministers from the devolved Administrations through inter-ministerial fora to discuss a range of policy issues. SMEs across Wales have access to a range of UK Government services to help them to grow and thrive. The UK Government also recently announced that we will appoint new international trade advisers in Wales to provide tailored support for Welsh SME exporters to take advantage of new export opportunities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the adequacy of government support specifically for small businesses in north Wales or confirm any recent discussions on this issue with the Welsh Government.

How: General Statement About Meetings, Broad Statement About Sme Services

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Q2 Rob Roberts
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The Welsh Government announced a reduction of rate relief for the hospitality sector from 75% to 40% in April, leading to criticism and business closures. Monmouthshire County Council called on its colleagues to maintain support at the same rate as in England.

Question

The Labour Welsh Government are reducing rate relief for the hospitality sector from 75% to 40% in April. Following that announcement, Monmouthshire County Council, which is also Labour-run, called on its colleagues to maintain support at the same rate as in England. Business owners have criticised the Welsh Government, saying that it would be deeply unfair, but the outgoing First Minister has rejected their calls, and a number of hospitality businesses have already closed their doors this year. Will the Minister join me in urging the Welsh Government to maintain the 75% support that businesses need, instead of cutting their feet from under them just because Welsh Labour cannot manage a budget?

Answer from Greg Hands

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: the Welsh Labour Government need to start supporting businesses and to maintain the 75% relief rate, as we are in England. The Welsh Government have also cut the budget of Business Wales from £26.6 million to £21 million. Figures from UKHospitality show that the average pub in Wales will be £6,800 worse off as a result, compared with England; for the average restaurant, that figure will be £12,000; and for the average hotel, it will be £20,000.

Answered
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