THE Welsh Government has pledged to consider Aberystwyth as a location of the new Welsh Tax Authority, after a petition calling for the move raised hundreds of signatures.

The Authority will come into effect with the devolution of taxation to the Welsh Government in April 2018, with Ceredigion AM Elin Jones and local councillors calling for the headquarters to be based in Aberystwyth to provide “quality jobs” for the town.

Miss Jones said: “The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government has confirmed to me that Aberystwyth will be one of the locations considered as the headquarters of the Welsh Tax Authority.

“This is good news. It is essential that public sector employment is distributed evenly throughout Wales and not just based in the Cardiff area.

“Aberystwyth is already a location for a range of public sector staff and it is an excellent candidate to house the new tax authority.

“There are a range of skills in the area and Aberystwyth University also provides a pool of excellent graduates to enter the Welsh Civil Service.

“I will continue to press for Aberystwyth to be selected as the HQ.

“I’d also like to congratulate Aberystwyth Town Council on the work they have done to highlight the potential of Aberystwyth with the government.”

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