Ambitious plans to scrap or reduce the level of business rates for thousands of firms across Wales have been unveiled by the Welsh Conservatives.
The £53 million scheme will exempt companies with a rateable value of £10,000 or less from paying rates, with tapered relief for firms worth up to £15,000. Closing the Welsh Conservative Party conference, Assembly leader Nick Bourne AM said the proposals could help as many as 90,000 firms across Wales.
Mr Bourne said a Conservative-led Assembly Government would make help for small businesses "a priority", helping firms during the recession and into the future. He added that support from Conservatives in Scotland had helped 150,000 businesses, with five out of six firms taken out of business rates altogether.
Dismissing Labour and Plaid Cymru claims that the scheme cannot be paid for, Mr Bourne said money for a Welsh rate relief scheme could be found through "restoring balance" to the Assembly's budget. He also accused the Assembly Government of "pandering to populism" through gimmicks and giveaways which had "whittled down" the public purse.
Nick Bourne AM said: "Help should go to businesses at a time when they need it most. During a recession this will be a priority. Ieuan Wyn Jones says such a scheme is undeliverable. Rhodri Morgan asks where the money would come from. It is true, the purse strings are tight. But if we are to deliver targeted help to businesses, prepare for the upturn, and protect public services then difficult choices have to be made. We must restore balance to the budget books of Wales."
In his conference speech, Mr Bourne also unveiled Conservative plans for a Welsh manufacturing strategy, and to develop more green jobs through the development of sustainable energy schemes.
"We will provide direct, targeted help for businesses in the short term, and steady foundations for the long term," he said.
"A prosperous Wales built on secure jobs in small businesses, green businesses, and viable manufacturers. A productive Wales that no longer pilfers the public purse but seeks a bang for its buck. Ten years hard Labour has seen Wales put on the wrong course. Plaid Cymru went along for the ride but got lost on the way."