Janet Finch-Saunders AM today called on the Minister for Finance and Leader of the House to clarify Welsh Government plans for the £39m it has received from the UK Government following a Council Tax freeze in England.

Janet said: “Last week the First Minister said careful decisions are needed in deciding how to spend the £39 million received following a council tax freeze in England. I do not think that his immediate decision not to do the same here and help every household in Wales – was a careful one.

“It is a shame the Welsh Government has refused point-blank to deny households in Wales the savings that those in England will benefit from – the average household would be set to save £72 this year if the freeze was brought in.

“In light of this, I want the Welsh Government to strongly consider using this grant to support a business rate relief scheme for SMEs to boost the Welsh economy. SMEs are vital to the health of the economy here in Wales and we should be doing all we can to support them – business rate relief being an essential first step.”