Eluned Morgan AM has welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s announcement that High Street businesses and other retailers in Pembrokeshire will each receive a £2,500 cut to their business rates next year.

The Welsh Government is investing £23.6m to enhance and extend the High Street rates relief scheme in 2019-20.

Around 15,000 businesses across Wales, including shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs, will receive enhanced support to pay their rates bills from April 2019.

Eluned Morgan said: “This scheme is about backing businesses on High Streets like Narberth and Tenby. High Streets are the heart of our communities where we shop, work eat and socialise.

“The current economic conditions and competition from the internet and out-of-town shopping centres are having an impact on small businesses.

“This Welsh Government scheme will ensure many small businesses receive support to pay their bills and can continue to provide much-needed services to their local communities.”

Finance Secretary and newly elected Leader of Welsh Labour, Professor Mark Drakeford, added: “This extension to the High Street rates relief scheme and the additional funding for discretionary rates relief, together with the permanent small business rates relief scheme, which has been in place since April 2018, combine to offer timely and targeted support for ratepayers across Wales.”