Tourism

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:16 pm on 28 March 2023.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 2:16, 28 March 2023

Thank you, First Minister, and I am pleased that the strategy does include increased spend. But my concern is that there are huge concerns that remain with regard to the Welsh Government's changes requiring many holiday let businesses to be let for 182 days a year, and making them move from the business rates system to the council tax system, which would then increase their tax burden and make many of those businesses unviable.

Can I say, First Minister, of course, that many of these businesses as well are being encouraged to diversify—farming businesses are being encouraged to diversify into that holiday let sector? Many businesses tell me, and I believe it from the casework that I see, that they will simply fold if further exemptions are not brought forward. I'm afraid, so far, that I do believe that the Welsh Government has paid lip service to the concerns that have been raised. I do welcome very much the exemption that has come forward in regard to planning matters—very much welcome indeed—but when are we going to see further exemptions brought forward?

The specific examples that I would bring forward would be where holiday let properties are co-located, so in the same location as, perhaps, where the owner lives, or where holiday let properties share utilities. Those types of properties can't be used for any other purpose except for holiday lets, or it would certainly make it very, very difficult to change from that position. So, can I ask, First Minister: when are we going to see further exemptions that clarify these matters and make sure that these businesses don't fold?