SMALL businesses in Wales make a vital contribution to our economy and account for 99 per cent of all businesses in Wales. Business rates account for a significant part of operating costs for small businesses and prevent businesses from growing, investing in themselves and creating more jobs. A number of our small businesses are struggling to meet their bills.

In Monmouthshire in 2013-14 some 209 on-domestic rates liability orders were issued. Business Rate arrears stood (March 31, 2014) at £1.6m (gross) and 307 Liability Orders (over 3 years) on businesses with rateable value of less than £10,000 had been issued.

We need to remove the burden of business rates and allow our private sector to flourish and create employment opportunities. Plaid Cymru has pledged to scrap business rates for all enterprises with a rateable value of under £10,000 relief with those between £10,000 and £15,000 also seeing their bills reduced.

Jonathan T Clark, Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Candidate for Monmouth Constituency