I have raised the matter of the struggle businesses have with business rates in Newport many a time. Despite this, very little progress has been made to support businesses with their rates.

Welsh Conservatives have long campaigned to reduce business rates for small businesses and despite England progressing strongly under a Conservative Westminster Government having no rates for up to £15,000 and tapered relief for businesses over £15,000, Labour in Wales refuses to take any action to support our small and medium sized enterprises.

I am calling on the Welsh Government Minister to look into business rates as a matter of urgency and Local Councils to consider plans to shake up the system to support the backbone of the Welsh Economy, small and medium sized businesses.

Today I learned of a small business owner in Newport who is considering moving his company across the border to England as the rates he pays are crippling and he cannot see a viable future for himself in Wales. I will shortly be starting an online petition to wake up Carwyn Jones to this matter as it can no longer be ignored.

Update 08/08/2016: I have today received this from the responcible Minister: "I will be considering the options over the summer for providing future relief from non-domestic rates to support small businesses.  This work will be informed by the outcome of the revaluation exercise being undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency."

Mohammad Asghar: "I look forward to reading the outcome of this excersize and will await the results before I take the campaign further."