7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: The Welsh Economy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:29 pm on 4 May 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Paul Davies Paul Davies Conservative 4:29, 4 May 2022

Yes, but the statistics are very, very clear, Mike: Wales's businesses pay the highest business rates in the whole of the United Kingdom. That is a fact and a fact that you cannot get away from.

Of course, business rates are just one piece of the jigsaw puzzle in creating the conditions for growth and making Wales a more attractive place to do business. We need to harness the potential of our whole landscape, from our city centres to our rural areas to our ports and to our coastlines. The Welsh Government's programme for government lacked analysis of the needs of rural Wales and any action to develop the rural economy or harness its benefits. Similarly, there needs to be more support and investment in our ports, which will become increasingly important in the coming years.

Now, last week a business made it very clear to me that they were held back by the Welsh Government's lack of investment in port infrastructure, which could help attract global business opportunities. That has to change. Members will know that our manifesto promised a £20 million Welsh ports development fund for this exact purpose—to support an increase in Welsh exports, help create more jobs and help attract global business opportunities.

That brings me to infrastructure investment more generally. We know that businesses are also calling for much-needed infrastructure investment and support in the form of transport infrastructure, green infrastructure and infrastructure to help businesses decarbonise. As Welsh businesses strive to decarbonise their businesses, it's vital that there is support available to help them navigate these waters and understand exactly—