Business Rates

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 1:31 pm on 22 May 2019.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 1:31, 22 May 2019

Thank you for raising the important issue of non-domestic rates this afternoon. In total, over £210 million of relief is being provided in 2019-20 to support businesses across Wales with their bills, and these reliefs are available to all eligible ratepayers, including those on the high street who meet the criteria. But, as you say, we have introduced an extra £23.6 million of support to enhance our high-street rate relief scheme, and that's been extended now for a further year into 2019-20. But I think one of the most important things that we have introduced is that additional £2.4 million to local authorities to offer that discretionary rate relief to businesses and other ratepayers. But I do think it's important that it does remain discretionary in the wider sense because local authorities are best placed to understand where the local pressures are and where the local opportunities to make a difference are. You've given an example already about the way in which Flintshire is using its rates to try and open up access to public toilets within the town centre. So, the whole point of it being discretionary is for local authorities to be agile and respond to local need.