Llywydd, of course I understand that when bills change, those people who have to pay more are much more alert to that, and not all those people have the same ability to pay. That’s why, in the next financial year, we will provide over £200 million-worth of financial assistance to businesses in Wales, a greater sum than ever, ever before. It will support more than three quarters of all ratepayers here in Wales. Our £100 million small business rate relief scheme already supports more than 70 per cent of businesses in Wales. Over half of all eligible small businesses in Wales pay no rates at all, and we’ve extended our scheme into next year and will use this year to design a permanent scheme thereafter.

Because we recognised from the very beginning that changes in Bills fall disproportionately on some shoulders, we introduced a £10 million transitional rate relief scheme at the very beginning of the process. That will provide additional support to more than 7,000 additional ratepayers, and the scheme is fully funded by the Welsh Government, unlike the scheme across our border, where people who are paying less have to give up some of that benefit in order to cushion the impact on people who have to pay more. If we did that in Wales, then the people who would be giving up their benefit would be the steel industry and healthcare centres and other businesses across Wales.

We’ve gone on listening to what small businesses, and especially high-street retailers, have been telling us over the autumn—that despite this transitional relief there are some towns and communities that are particularly affected by the revaluation. I acknowledge that Nick Ramsay has regularly raised these concerns on behalf of businesses in his constituency. There are many high streets across the country where rates are falling, but we’ve recognised that some retailers need additional support. That’s why we have announced an additional £10 million over and above what was originally proposed for additional support for high-street retailers, including shops, cafes and pubs. Once again, we will provide that money in full from Welsh Government resources, and we will deliver it through a special targeted grant scheme. The relief scheme will be very similar to the previous Wales retail relief scheme, which was administered by local authorities. It will provide a flat rate reduction in liability for eligible ratepayers. For many ratepayers, particularly those currently only eligible for partial small business rate relief, the relief will reduce their remaining liability to nil. Now, I fully understand the calls around the Chamber for full details of the scheme to be made available, and I want to do that as soon as possible. I met officials earlier this week to accelerate this process, nevertheless, we have to design the scheme within the law, we have to consult with local authorities that will be responsible for its administration, and we need to talk to small business representatives as well, to make sure that that £10 million is used to the maximum effect. That will take a few weeks longer. As soon as we are able to conclude it, I will publish a written statement updating numbers on those details, and then that money will be put to work to support those businesses as we would wish to see it—[Interruption.] Yes, of course.