ARFON'S Hywel Williams MP and Sian Gwenllian AM have called on the Welsh Labour Government to overhaul the small business rate relief scheme.

Joining forces with local business owners in the area, the Plaid Cymru pair are asking for the change to be made in order to help businesses with a rateable value of £10,000 or less be made exempt from paying the tax.

A petition drawn up by Caernarfon business owner Endaf Cooke and Gavin Owen of Hwb Caernarfon also calls on any small businesses with a rateable value of between £10,000.01 and £20,000 to receive a discount/relief on a tapered scale system of between 0 - 100%.

"We fully support Endaf and Gavin who are petitioning the Welsh Assembly and would urge everyone to sign and share it," Sian Gwenllian AM said.

"We will work in partnership with the business community in Caernarfon and beyond to exert pressure on the Labour government in Cardiff to do more to support our high streets and the small business sector in Wales.

"Small businesses on Caernarfon’s high street and on high streets across Wales deserve our full support."

Hywel Williams MP added: "Business rates form a greater proportion of operating costs for small businesses than they do for large firms. They are a real burden on profitability and viability for some of them.

"There are many things Welsh Government can do to support businesses in Wales by reforming business rates taxation, least of all make full use of powers to make business rates work more effectively for the Welsh economy.

"The message I’m getting from small businesses in Arfon is one of frustration. Too much red tape and frequent inconsistencies in the determination of rates.

"Reducing this burden would free up cash flow enabling small businesses to expand, invest and create employment."