<p>Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople</p>

Part of 2. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure – in the Senedd at 1:49 pm on 25 January 2017.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 1:49, 25 January 2017

Diolch, Presiding Officer. I do have no doubt that the Cabinet Secretary will agree with me that small businesses are vitally important, of course, to the Welsh economy. But I have to say that small businesses haven’t been afforded the stability I think they need from past and this Welsh Governments. Business rates have been devolved for some time, and businesses are still at a significant disadvantage to their counterparts in England—indeed, they’re crying out for support. Given that there has been a 26 per cent drop in new business start-ups since 2011, do you think that the Welsh Government should give potential entrepreneurs and businesses the security that they need by raising the rateable value for small business rate relief from 1 April this year?