Welsh Lib Dems comment on firebreak business support

Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed the package of support for businesses affected by the firebreak announced today by the Counsel General, but expressed concern that basing the support from the Economic Resilience Fund on business rateable values would mean that the level of support would be based not on lost turnover or sales but on the value of the property that a business occupied.

A spokesperson said:

“Liberal Democrats have long recognised that there are real anomalies in the Business Rates system – especially affecting the small retail businesses that have been asked to make particularly big sacrifices during the firebreak.

“We welcome the support but are concerned that some businesses could be waiting a long time to receive funds and that the anomalies of the business rates system will mean that it is not always well-targeted at the businesses that need it most.”