Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency, Cris Tomos, has met with Tenby Chamber of Trade members ahead of the general election, to discuss the challenges facing small and medium size business enterprises in the area.

Business owners and Chamber members were able to explain the costs of ever increasing overheads and staffing, explaining how continual additional requirements and costs from the Welsh Government have an impact on local business, such as the cost of commercial waste collections.

Joined by local Plaid county councillor Michael Williams, who represents Tenby’s North Ward on Pembrokeshire County Council, Cris explained how he had supported many social businesses in gaining funding for ideas such as solar and battery storage to reduce the running costs of energy for small businesses.

The Plaid candidate also explained how having a great number of chamber of commerce and business clubs in Pembrokeshire could look at a bulk buying services for businesses to push for the best prices to support the local economy.

Cris concluded that the Labour Welsh Government’s decisions on apprenticeships in its last budget was a backwards step, significantly cutting the apprenticeship budget.

“With a number of sectors in Wales highlighting the availability of skills as being a significant barrier, a skills strategy and industrial strategy is sorely needed,” he said.