March 2022
Welsh Government Proposed Changes to Self Catering Business Rate Threshold
Thank you to all self catering stakeholders who have completed our feedback form so far. Please share your views via our feedback form if you have not already done so.

We've heard from many MWT members who are rightly concerned about the proposed changes and urging members to complete the form below, and to contact their elected representatives to share their views. (see below links to list of councillors/Members of the Senedd)
The Welsh Government (WG) have announced that they are considering 'immediate and radical changes using the planning, property and taxation systems' to address concerns about the number of second homes in some local communities in Wales.

We are concerned about potential unintended consequences that the proposed 'immediate and radical changes' may have on our tourism economy, and the direct impact on our businesses already struggling to recover from the Covid pandemic.

These proposed changes from April 2023 include:

  • Raising the current threshold for businesses to be included in the non domestic rate (NDR) register from 140 day available to let / 70 days actual let, to 252 days available to let / 182 days actual let (in any 12 month period)

  • Change to the discretionary powers available to your Local Authorities to charge a council tax premium of up to 300% of the standard rate (current max. premium is 100% and only 3 LA's in Wales are charging the maximum 100% premium.) Businesses who fall beneath the NDR threshold may be liable to pay these premium rates.

These changes are not being led by Visit Wales, but by other departments within the Welsh Government.

It is important that we are able to represent your views, and are asking our self catering members to complete the form which will help us in our dealings with the Welsh Government and Local Authority Officials.
Wales Tourism Alliance Response
MWT Cymru are members of the Wales Tourism Alliance, through which we share our views and the views of the members' we represent. The Wales Tourism Alliance have penned an open letter response to the Ministerial Announcement of the proposals to change non-domestic rating thresholds.
Technical Consultation Underway: How you can respond
Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government, has launched a technical consultation on the new draft strategy which will be open for responses until 12 April 2022.

How to respond
Submit your comments by 12 April 2022, in any of the following ways:

RESPOND ONLINE

EMAIL
Download the response form.
Complete and respond to: LGFR.Consultations@gov.wales

POST
Download the response form.
Complete and respond to: 
Non-Domestic Rates Policy Branch
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Contact your local councillor
We've heard from many MWT members who are rightly concerned about the proposed changes.

The technical consultation being undertaken by Welsh Government is due for completion by 12 April 2022.

In addition to responding to this consultation, we encourage you to contact Welsh Government Ministers and your local area councillors, urging reconsideration of the proposed thresholds, particularly the occupancy threshold, to ensure we are all lobbying hard on this important issue.


Find your local councillor's contact details:

MWT members - you are welcome to contact Val directly on 01654 702653 or email val@mwtcymcru.co.uk if you wish to discuss any of the issues being raised.
MWT Cymru Members' Facebook Group
MWT Members: If you haven't already, please make sure you join us on our MWT Cymru Members' Facebook Group. This is the fastest way to receive updates as they happen.
Visit website: www.mwtcymru.co.uk
As always, if you need any additional help or support please contact us