Editor

Last week’s unveiling of the Welsh Government’s budget for 2021-22 was a missed opportunity to turbo-charge the Welsh economy from the wreckage of Covid.

As many businesses across Mid and West Wales enter a bleak and uncertain winter, what we required was an economic blueprint that would give renewed hope and economic optimism ahead of the new year.

Sadly, Welsh Labour ministers have served up an all-too-familiar socialist prescription which will see families and businesses across Wales taxed to the hilt.

The budget should have:

• Abolished business rates altogether for small businesses with a rateable value up to £15,000

• Established a £250 million Coronavirus Community Recovery Fund to support communities and high streets hardest hit across Mid & West Wales

• Doubled the funding made available to re-train and up skill young people who have lost a job during the pandemic across the region

• Extended the Welsh Government’s financial support package for the hospitality and tourism sectors, which have particularly been hit hard across Mid and West Wales, until June 2021.

Now, more than ever, we require a relentless focus from our politicians on growing the economy and backing small, local businesses across Mid and West Wales.

Dr Tomos Dafydd Davies Deputy chairman Welsh Conservative Party

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