Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:21 pm on 30 November 2022.
As we approach Small Business Saturday, we have to recognise that we're in the middle of the worst cost-of-living crisis for 40 years. The impact on our small businesses will be severe. This is one of the main economic concerns facing small businesses at present, with 89 per cent of companies noting higher costs than a year ago. Small businesses won't have the reserves that bigger businesses have, and very often, they'll face higher costs because of their size. The impact will be worse on the Welsh economy compared with other places, as a result of a relatively higher number of small businesses. However, we have a unique opportunity here to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and the climate emergency at the same time and create an economy for the future. Small businesses are eager to help. They're eager to help reach the climate targets, but 76 per cent felt that they needed more support from the Welsh Government in this area. The Welsh Government should ensure that funding is available for the setting of solar panels and improving building fabrics, especially in the energy-intensive industries. This would not only reduce the costs for businesses and safeguard them better from changes in the energy market, but it would also help to deliver our net-zero targets and move to a greener economy.