6. 6. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Welsh Government Performance

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:55 pm on 15 March 2017.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 4:55, 15 March 2017

No, I’m sorry. I’ve started, I’ll finish. You’re always wanting to mention Westminster; well, let me tell you, a band D property in Westminster has a council tax of £669. A band D property in Conwy: £1,401. Business rates are crippling our most hard working and enterprising individuals. In England, under a Conservative Government, our businesses are valued, they are appreciated, they are supported, and they have now received £3.6 billion in transitional relief. The equivalent in monetary terms of this support in value for Wales, if provided, would be £180 million, yet the recent boasting of a £10 million fund to mitigate this appalling increase is an absolute insult—a complete disgrace—proving, once again, that Welsh Labour simply do not get business.

On broadband, average speeds in Wales are the lowest of the UK regions. In Aberconwy, not only individual premises, but almost some whole communities are being excluded from the Superfast Cymru project, whilst the fibre journey continues to report unreliable data under Welsh Labour in power, supported, of course, in recent years by Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems. Here we go again. What more can I say? But my constituents in Aberconwy have seen a 230 per cent increase in their council tax bills; their local health board put in special measures, and remaining there for 22 months today; and the closure of our rural schools, against the wishes of a number of parents and governors. The Welsh Labour Government is simply failing my constituency, and it is certainly failing the people of Wales. Thank you.