No-one wants to have to drive to work, nor have the expense of running a car that's going to spend most of the time parked outside their workplace. But many are forced to because this Government and others have been unable to provide a viable public transport alternative, much less one that's as convenient as a car. The policies of successful UK and Welsh Governments and local authorities have resulted in commercial zones being placed in locations that are inaccessible by public transport, as has housing. So, please, please, please stop treating drivers and business as if the congestion and pollution they cause are all their fault. It's not. It's the fault of people like this Welsh Government and local authorities for not planning ahead.

Business rates work off the rateable value of the workplace into which is already being factored parking facilities on site. So, this legislative proposal would result in businesses being charged twice for the same thing. Businesses will either pass the levy on to their employees, as many obviously are, or their customers will take a financial hit that will curb expansion and impact on job creation. And for what? A half-baked, vague, mistaken notion that councils will use the tax to improve public transport and encourage active travel. That's utter fantasy. This is just a way of getting councils a bit more money to fund core services that this Government has failed to give them proper support for so far. If it weren't, this proposal would not just be about enabling councils to use the money for public transport, it would be forcing them to do so. But it isn't, and I note there's no mention of any of the levy funds being ring-fenced.

By adding new taxes and levies, Wales becomes a less attractive place to start or bring your business. This proposal won't reduce congestion or carbon emissions unless, as it may well do, it leads to less employment in Wales. So, I won't be supporting this Bill. The Government should be investing in alternative transport for workers and improving town planning, but instead they're coming up with a new tax. They want to look as if they're doing something, but they don't want to spend any money on it, so they'll come up with a way to tax Wales more. I think it's a terrible idea. Thank you.