Local AM Nick Ramsay sought answers from Wales’ First Minister as to when Monmouthshire businesses, set to be stung by business rates hikes, can expect information about whether they might benefit from a new £10million fund for rate relief.

 

In the 2017 Wales-wide businesses rates revaluation, many firms in Monmouthshire are amongst the hardest hit in Wales, with many examples triple the current rate.

 

Having questioned the First Minister in the Assembly Chamber, Nick Ramsay said, “Many businesses in Monmouth, Chepstow, Abergavenny and Usk risk going under if these business rates rises go ahead.

 

“While I welcome any additional money for further rate relief, at the moment many businesses are in limbo, not knowing if they will benefit from further rate relief.

 

“The Welsh Government needs to bring forward some clarity as to how that £10million will be distributed, how businesses can benefit – and crucially – when.”

 

In response to Nick’s question in the Chamber to the First Minister, Carwyn Jones replied that details of the new funding package would be published “soon.”