Welsh Conservatives have become the first party to launch policies ahead of next year’s Assembly elections.
At a food manufacturer in Barry, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly Nick Bourne AM and Shadow Minister for the Economy David Melding AM, have set out ambitious plans to boost business and encourage enterprise.
Welsh Conservatives would:
- Abolish business rates for all small businesses in Wales with a rateable value of below £12,000
- Introduce a clear manufacturing strategy to safeguard jobs and support the creation of new hi-tech businesses
- Create a powerful new Business Partnership Council that listens to the views of businesses and advises Government on economic policy
Mr Bourne said: “These policies clearly demonstrate our focus on supporting businesses and aiding growth in the private sector.
“By scrapping business rates for companies with a rateable value of less than 12 thousand pounds, we are taking the vast majority of small businesses out of these charges entirely.
“These companies are the backbone of our economy, yet the current deal they are getting from the Labour-Plaid government is worse than what they would get in either Scotland or Northern Ireland.
“Under a Welsh Conservative government, our manufacturing sector would be prioritised. Too many jobs have been lost in this industry over the last 11 years.
“With a clear manufacturing strategy we would safeguard jobs and allow this sector to thrive.
“It’s time to give Welsh industry a much fairer deal.”
Mr Melding said: “Right now, Wales is the poorest part of the United Kingdom and our national wealth is barely 75 per cent of the UK average.
“That’s not good enough and it is very clear we need a fresh approach.
“Welsh Conservatives would listen to the voice of business, not ignore it like the Labour Plaid government.
“Our powerful new Business Partnership Council would advise the Government on economic policy and allow businesses much greater input.
“Wales can do better and Welsh Conservatives have the economic policies to achieve that.”
