James Evans MS took part in a Senedd debate this week marking Small Business Saturday and spoke about the importance of small businesses to Brecon and Radnorshire.

The debate was introduced by the Welsh Conservatives with contributions from multiple parties.

Mr Evans called for a reduction in business rates, as the Welsh Government has imposed the highest rates of anywhere in Great Britain.

Small Business Saturday celebrates the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to the UK economy, encouraging consumers to ‘shop local’ on the first Saturday of December and beyond. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the grassroots campaign.

Mr Evans said: “Small businesses in mid Wales are run by hard-working people who pour their life and their soul into these businesses. They’re not hugely wealthy corporations and don’t have huge amounts of cash behind them, but they are the heartbeat of our communities, providing jobs and creating wealth.”

During the debate, the Brecon and Radnorshire MS made reference to the Powys Business Awards held at Brecon’s Dering Lines in October. He said he was fortunate to attend the awards evening and added that it was fantastic to see such great businesses promoting the area and Wales more widely.

Mr Evans also spoke of conversations he’d had with local business owners, with many of them saying that high business rates were “driving people out of the high streets”.

“These small enterprises need support, and the high business rates in Wales are driving small businesses off the high street, because they simply cannot afford the rates they have to pay – the highest in Great Britain,” said Mr Evans.

“Be sure to support your local businesses – not just on Small Business Saturday, but in the run-up to Christmas and throughout the rest of the year.”