Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:41 pm on 10 December 2019.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. The multiplier is a key component of the NDR system and it determines the level of each non-domestic rates bill and thus the overall yield generated by the system, and it's really important to recognise and reflect on the fact that non-domestic rates do provide a significant contribution to the funding of local services in Wales, so over £1 billion a year. So, we do need to remember, when we are thinking about alternative approaches for business rates, that were we to suggest that there should be cuts in business rates then we need to also suggest where those cuts might fall. So, would it be schools? Would it be libraries? Would it be social care? These are genuine questions that need to be answered. But, in calculating the increases using CPI rather than RPI, we are ensuing that ratepayers will receive a lower bill than they otherwise would have done, and, of course, Welsh Government is maintaining its commitment to business rates relief, So, this year, for example, we have a £230 million investment in local businesses to ensure that, actually, half of businesses in Wales pay no rates at all. So, Welsh Government is very alive to the pressures that businesses are facing, but we do have in place a significant programme of reliefs, which are there to help business.