In the Senedd today, the Welsh Conservatives brought forward a debate to mark Small Business Saturday, putting our plan to support small businesses to a vote, including proposals to:
- Eliminate business rates for all small businesses.
- Reverse planned changes to inheritance tax in relation to business property relief.
- Provide more free parking in town centres.
- Axe the tourism tax before it comes into force.
- Call on the UK Government to reverse the increase in employer's national insurance and reimburse Wales for failing to fund the full costs of these to date.
The motion did not pass, as Plaid Cymru and Labour Senedd Members voted against the Welsh Conservative motion.
Commenting after the vote, Welsh Conservative Shadow Economy Secretary, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:
“I am disappointed in Plaid and Labour Senedd Members who decided to oppose our credible plan to support small businesses today.
“It’s clear that only the Welsh Conservatives can be trusted to back small businesses here in Wales, by widening access to free parking to increase high street footfall and by eliminating punitive taxes on jobs, tourism, family firms and family farms.”
In relation to Welsh High streets falling quiet during the early Christmas period, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, Sara Jones, said:
“Welsh retailers’ hopes of a sustained golden quarter shopping boost were dashed in November as footfall dipped and fragile consumer confidence continued to be weighed down by the run up to and aftermath of the UK Government’s budget. Even Black Friday weekend, one of the busiest retail periods of the year, failed to deliver, with footfall down by more than 3 per cent year on year.
“Despite aggressive discounting and strong in-store offers, Welsh town and city centres were a touch quieter than even last year’s already weak performance, dealing a fresh concern over festive trading.
“As the Golden Quarter enters its final stretch, retailers will now be pinning their hopes on calmer weather and a late surge in shopper confidence and spending ahead of Christmas.”
Covering the four weeks 02 - 29 Nov 2025
According to WRC-Sensormatic data:
- Welsh footfall decreased by 0.4% in November (YoY), down from +0.6% in October.
- Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 1.6% in November (YoY), down from +0.4% in October.
- Retail Park footfall decreased by 1.5% in November (YoY), down from -0.8% in October.
- In November, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 3.2% (YoY), down from -2.1% in October.
The motion which was debated today read:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes Small Business Saturday on 6 December 2025.
2. Recognises the crucial contribution that small businesses play in creating jobs, supporting communities and boosting local economies across Wales.
3. Believes that the UK Labour Government’s autumn budget will lead to additional costs and job losses for businesses.
4. Regrets that under the Welsh Labour Government, businesses are hit with the least competitive business rates in Great Britain, unemployment is the highest in the United Kingdom and take-home pay is the lowest.
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) eliminate business rates for all small businesses;
b) reverse planned changes to inheritance tax in relation to business property relief;
c) provide more free parking in town centres;
d) axe the tourism tax before it comes into force; and
e) call on the UK Government to reverse the increase in employer's national insurance and reimburse Wales for failing to fund the full costs of these to date.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The debate in the Welsh Parliament started at around 5.00pm and can be watched online here.
- Samuel Kurtz MS is available for interview.
