<p>Support for New Businesses</p>

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd on 17 January 2017.

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Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative

(Translated)

8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the financial support available for new businesses in Wales? OAQ(5)0378(FM)

Photo of Carwyn Jones Carwyn Jones Labour 2:18, 17 January 2017

Support is available to all businesses, including new businesses, through a variety of funds, including our recently introduced repayable fund for SMEs and the growth and prosperity fund.

Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative 2:19, 17 January 2017

Thank you, First Minister. We know full well the problems that businesses in some areas of Wales are facing with the huge hikes in business rates this April. This is particularly difficult for newer businesses. While I welcome the commitment of extra support in the budget, there’s still a lack of clarity over how that money is going to be distributed, and some businesses have told me that they’re in limbo, particularly those that need to sign up to longer term leases. When will the Welsh Government be publishing full details of the new funding package available to businesses and how businesses will be able to apply for it?

Photo of Carwyn Jones Carwyn Jones Labour

That will be published soon. It was important, of course, to get the budget through the Assembly in order not to prejudge the outcome of that. And, of course, I can reiterate that a new permanent rate relief scheme for small businesses will be introduced from next year onwards.

Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru

(Translated)

Thank you, First Minister.