The Climate Emergency

Part of 3. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:36 pm on 12 November 2019.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 1:36, 12 November 2019

(Translated)

The hydro energy sector has been in touch with me, expressing concern about non-domestic business rates. You will know that a grant has been given by the Welsh Government over the past few years in order to assist with paying those rates and safeguarding those projects from the possible substantial increase in non-domestic rates. It’s over a year now since the Government commissioned and published a report that looked at the situation and which proposed alternatives, but we’re now reaching the point where, of course, there will be a budget that will be delayed before its publication this year and the sector still doesn’t know whether the grant will exist for next year or whether there will be more far-reaching changes to the way in which they are taxed. They are in limbo. They need to know exactly what’s happening, because if they are not safeguarded from this rise, then obviously a number of them will go out of business. So, when will they learn what’s happening next year?