Leader of the house, you will be aware that bookshops the length and breadth of Wales are finding difficulty in the face of business rates and competition from online booksellers. As a result, over the past few years, very many independent bookstores have closed. The Booksellers Association notes that online booksellers have a huge commercial advantage as compared to high-street booksellers, who pay far more in rates. I’m sure that many of us would agree that bookstores play an important part in Welsh culture and would want to support these businesses in the face of very difficult economic circumstances.

Given the contribution that booksellers make to the society, culture and economy of Wales, would the Welsh Government be willing to make a statement on the additional support that it can provide, particularly in terms of business rates? We know that child minders in Wales are now exempt from business rates. Therefore, could the Welsh Government look to give further business rate relief to bookshops, given their social and cultural role?