Commenting on the Welsh Government announcement on a £1.4 billion business support package, Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, said:
“Businesses in Wales will wake up feeling that Welsh Government has made steps to provide them with a safety net today.
“We are pleased to note that the business rates relief is now equivalent to that available in England, and that Welsh Government has also created a system whereby the rates relief and business grants will be available automatically and do not need to be applied for.
“It is our expectation that the relief and grants will be made available very quickly. It is vital that Welsh Government remember that businesses are facing incredibly difficult decisions now, and government support needs to match that pace.
“While this is a very welcome intervention from Welsh Government, it is important to note that it still won’t provide reassurance for Wales’ thousands of self-employed individuals, as well as those whose business is not run from a premises. These are all businesses that will be dealing with the economic fallout of coronavirus, and who will be looking to Welsh Government to provide them with support and reassurance during such uncertain times.
“Which is why we were so pleased to see the Economy Minister state that there will be more support available soon for those who are self-employed.
“Welsh Government’s next steps should be to outline further detail on their most recent announcement, whilst looking to provide more support and reassurance to Wales’ business community.”
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