7. 3. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:30 pm on 1 November 2016.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 4:30, 1 November 2016

On your first point, Nick Ramsay, thank you for welcoming the embargoed statement on the specialist critical care centre and I’m sure you’ll be asking a question of the Cabinet Secretary in only a few minutes. Your second point—just a bit more about our small business rates relief. It will save small businesses in Wales from having to pay £100 million in tax, it will benefit a greater proportion of smaller businesses than England’s equivalent scheme, and, in Wales, more than half of all eligible businesses will pay no rates compared to just a third in England—and that’s because there is a higher proportion of small businesses in Wales. Of course, your third point is important, but only two weeks ago the Cabinet Secretary for finance announced our draft budget, which of course is now being scrutinised through committee, and there’s a considerable allocation of capital for next year towards the metro in south Wales, which, of course will all contribute to the transport opportunities and connectivity linked to electrification. I’m sure that Monmouthshire is included in that.