MONMOUTH MP David Davies has called for more financial support from the Welsh Government to help traders hit by the projected rates rise.

And he says he will be writing to UK Chancellor Philip Hammond about the ‘whole principle of business rates’ when the high street is under threat from online shopping.

Mr Davies, who attended a traders’ protest in Monmouth’s Monnow Street on Saturday and signed a protest petition on the new rate valuations, said: “I note that the UK government is offering £3.6billion in transitional relief for businesses in England.

“The proportionate amount for Wales would be around five per cent or £180million, but so far, the Welsh government has only announced £10million.

“We certainly need a much bigger amount of money to be set aside to help retailers facing enormous rises in towns and communities across Wales.”

He added: “Obviously, as I think people are aware, business rates in Wales are dealt with by the Welsh Government and not the UK Government. As an MP, I have no say over what happens in the National Assembly.

“I am, however, encouraging everyone to write to Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford and have put out letters urging him to delay implementing these rate increases.

“That said, I think there’s a wider issue here over the whole principle of business rates in a digital age where more people are shopping online and putting the traditional British high street at risk, and I will be contacting the Chancellor about this.”