Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled what was being labelled the “most radical Queen’s Speech in a generation” with measures to toughen up criminal justice, invest in the NHS and deliver on the “people’s priorities”.
Other pledges include a plan to change business rates - with a retail discount upped from one-third to 50%.
The bill aims is to support Britain’s struggling High Streets with a series of new measures that aims to ease the burden on small businesses.
This means pubs, cinemas and small businesses will see their business rates halved next year as it is targeted at retailers.
The government claim that nine out of 10 independent firms will qualify for the relief, which is available to retailers with a rateable value below £51,000 – giving them a saving of up to £12,500 in total.
However, in Wales, business rates are a devolved matter and therefore the high streets will not feel the benefit of the pledge from Mr Johnson.
“Regrettably there was little in this Queens Speech which cuts the cost burdens facing retailers here in Wales,” explained Sara Jones, head of policy and external affairs at the Welsh Retail Consortium.
“These are challenging times for retail, with larger stores and chains often feeling it the most. The enhanced rates relief for small firms in England is at least a recognition of the need to keep down costs, however we understand it is temporary.
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“Instead of copy this sticking plaster approach, what is needed here in Wales is more fundamental reform which reduces the onerous rates burden for all firms and which makes this tax better reflect trading conditions.
“The Queens Speech commits England to moving from a five-yearly to three-yearly cycle of rates revaluations, and we must see the same here in Wales. With the headline business rates multiplier in Wales at a 20 year high, and with rates bills set to rise by a further £29 million in April, a clear timetable is required which delivers a more sustainable reduction in the rates burden to help all firms.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We already have a number of schemes in place to assist ratepayers with their non-domestic rates bills. In 2019-20, we are providing over £230 million of rates relief to support a wide range of businesses and other ratepayers, with half paying no rates at all.
“We will consider how any additional consequential funding allocated to Wales can be best targeted to support communities and businesses as part of our budget and spending priorities.”