FSB Wales in conversation with:
Welsh Conservatives 1. How would your party ensure that small businesses are genuinely placed at the centre of Welsh Government decision-making and policy development? We know that only with a strong economy can we invest in our vital public services that people rely on and deliver our plan. That is why the Welsh Conservatives frame their support for small businesses as central to strengthening the Welsh economy, arguing that economic growth, job creation and thriving town centres all depend on putting small firms at the heart of decisionmaking. Reducing costs and red tape for small businesses is key to unlocking wider economic recovery. Overall, we present a low-tax, lower-regulation approach as the best way to stimulate investment, protect family firms, and drive sustainable economic growth across Wales.
2. What measures would your party introduce to revitalise Wales’s struggling high streets? Our proposals focus on abolishing business rates for small businesses, opposing tax increases such as higher employer national insurance contributions, scrapping the planned tourism tax, and expanding free town-centre parking to boost footfall. We believe that we can improve footfall through measures like free parking, investing in infrastructure such as transport and broadband to improve connectivity, and strengthening skills and apprenticeships to ensure SMEs can access a well-trained workforce.
3. What actions would your party take to boost SME productivity across Wales? To boost SME productivity across Wales, our party would focus on creating the right economic environment for small and medium-sized enterprises to invest and grow. We would strengthen skills and apprenticeships to address workforce shortages and help SMEs adopt new technologies, including digital tools and automation that drive productivity gains. Finally, we would support vibrant town centres through practical measures such as improved access and parking, ensuring local businesses can attract customers and compete effectively.
4. What specific policies would your party implement to reduce the rising costs of doing business for SMEs in Wales?
FSB Wales 2026 Senedd Election Engagement