Prospective Welsh Assembly Candidate, Owen Meredith, has called on the Welsh Assembly to “get off the backs” of local businesses, following a week of discussion with Caerphilly based firms.
He kicked off an “on-going conversation with local businesses” by meeting a number of town centre shop-keepers, business groups and larger employers.
Mr Meredith said:
“It’s been a great week. I’ve met with a wide range of people to see how we can work together to create the enterprise led economy that Caerphilly desperately needs. Only by listening to the views of those who have the ability to create jobs can we form the right policies in Cardiff Bay to help deliver them.
“I will be continuing to consult and work with the business community throughout this campaign – and beyond – to deliver a positive change for the economy in Caerphilly.”
The move was prompted by new data from the Office of National Statistics showing employment in the constituency is more than 10% below the UK average – at just 59.5%. That puts Caerphilly in the bottom tenth for employment in the UK, with the 4th lowest rate in Wales.
The Welsh Conservative candidate for Caerphilly has been critical of the Labour-Plaid administration for failing to promote the private sector in Wales. The public sector now accounts for more than 65% of the Welsh economy (77% by some estimates). He said:
“For every 6 private sector jobs we have in Caerphilly, there are another 4 in the public sector. That is not sustainable. We need wealth creating business that provide real jobs”
“For the 2,511 people claiming Jobseekers Allowance; For the 910 young people out of work, education or training; For the 14 people chasing every job vacancy – we need a positive change in Caerphilly.”
Last week’s ONS figures also show that weak business growth is hitting Caerphilly hard. The area has fewer businesses and a much slower start up rate than the rest of Wales.
Owen commented:
“After my discussion with local entrepreneurs, I am more convinced than ever that Caerphilly has the people and the spirit to get our economy moving. With the right support from the Assembly and Council, we can reinvent the town to make the most of the assets we have – not least Caerphilly Castle! I’ll be working with local businesses in the coming months to see how we can delivery the right policies to revive Caerphilly’s economy.”
One of the biggest issues raised was the level of business rates. Mr Meredith called on the Welsh Assembly Government to immediately reverse a decision that will pile added pressure onto small businesses in Wales. WAG announced last month that it will follow England in writing off substantial backdated business rate bills given to businesses, despite the UK Government providing the funding to do so.
Jonathan Morgan AM, Shadow Minister for Local Government, commented on that decision:
“This is grossly unfair. Small businesses are not receiving the support they need from the Labour-led Assembly Government. Welsh Conservatives would abolish business rates for the majority of small businesses to help them expand and create new jobs.”
Denise Lovering, Director of Glenside Commercials Ltd, which employs 40 people in Caerphilly welcomed Mr Meredith’s efforts to engage with the business community. Following his visit to their headquarters, She said:
“It was very heartening to hear from someone who cares about businesses in Caerphilly, at all levels. I was impressed with Owen’s intention to work towards providing a better environment for business – which can only be good for the area as a whole.”
Owen has pledged to run a campaign that listens to, and works with, the community to find positive solutions to Caerphilly’s economic difficulties. Anyone wishing to discuss this with him is invited to email [email protected].
