Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 2:59 pm on 11 May 2022.
Thank you, Minister, for the response. Llywydd, I welcome the recent figures provided by the Welsh Retail Consortium, which showed that the number of empty retail units in Wales has fallen 2.3 per cent over the past 12 months. This is the biggest fall in the UK, which is great. However, it's not all positive news. Despite the reduction, Wales has the second highest vacancy rate in the UK, and whilst the recovery hasn't been even, with some high streets faring better than others, there are further challenges, such as the cost-of-living pressures as well as the partial reintroduction of business rates. Minister, what further interventions is the Welsh Government considering to help attract businesses back into the high street? Is the Government considering boosting the financial support on offer to micro and small businesses in Wales provided by the Development Bank of Wales to encourage the creation of more local businesses, and particularly to those people wanting to start a business but who may find it difficult to access the finance provided by high-street banks? Finally, what consideration has there been of schemes to empower local councils to bring long-term and derelict empty properties back into use, which are a blight on many communities? Thank you.