Janet Finch-Saunders MS - the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – has today (08 October) called for the Welsh Government to provide urgent clarity over its Local Lockdown Business Fund.   

The Fund promises £1,500 to eligible retail, leisure and hospitality businesses in Wales occupying properties with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £51,000, and £1,000 to eligible businesses with a rateable value of £12,000 or less.

However, details remain sparse with confusion over when this funding will be distributed. During a speech to the Welsh Parliament yesterday, Mrs Finch-Saunders urged for fairer funding support for the region’s businesses, who are reeling from restrictions imposed from 18:00 on Thursday 1 October 2020. 

Commenting, Janet said:  

“As I told the Minister for Economy, Transport, and North Wales, in the Senedd this week: the businesses of Aberconwy need fairer funding support urgently. I am, therefore, dismayed that details surrounding the distribution of the Local Lockdown Business Fund remain pending.  

“Far from being a Rapid Reaction, urgent questions must be answered as to why this scheme is not already dispensing the necessary funds, given the Non-Domestic Rates system had already been used for a similar grant process earlier this year. 

“The Welsh Minister for Economy must also review the decision to enact a rateable value cap of £51,000. After all, Llandudno has a number of hotels which currently stand to be excluded from this essential monetary support if this cap is not removed.

“The Welsh Government drove our area into this economic lockdown crisis, so they need to set about offering the necessary financial support which would allow local businesses to survive and bridge this period."

ENDS