Tories warn of rates fears at smaller firms

A CONSERVATIVE call to abolish rates for all small businesses in Wales has been voted down by the Senedd amid warnings the tax burden is “hollowing out" high streets.

- 

Tory Senedd members urged the Welsh Government to scrap business rates entirely for the smallest businesses to give them “breathing space” amid a record wave of closures.

Samuel Kurtz claimed Wales has the “least competitive” business rates in Britain coupled with the highest unemployment in the UK and the lowest take-home pay.