Wales’ high street shops, pubs, and cafes are “paying more than their fair share” while online giants thrive, Jane Dodds told the Senedd this week.

The Mid and West Wales MS said that Wales has an outdated business system in town centres that is forcing businesses to compete “with one hand tied behind their backs”.

She told First Minister, Eluned Morgan: “We have a position where high street shops, pubs and cafes are paying far more than their fair share, while online giants are paying much less.

“Amazon pays only 0.4 per cent of its sales in business rates, compared to around five per cent for other retailers.

“In England, targeted support for hospitality is being extended, but not here in Wales.

“I want to press you on the issue of a levy on online sales. That levy can go to support local businesses. Do you support a levy on online sales?

“If you do, how would you see that being used to support small businesses in Wales?”

Ms Morgan said the Government recognises that it needs to be sensitive to the different needs of the different businesses on high streets.

She told Ms Dodds: “That's why we've undertaken a consultation on changing the non-domestic rates multiplier in Wales. The results of that will come out shortly.

“What I can tell you is that we are serious as a Government in terms of putting our town centres first. That's why we have a 'town centre first' policy.

“That's why we've invested over £100 million in Transforming Towns, making a difference in every constituency across Wales. We're touching each of those constituencies in some way.

“When it comes to online sales, that is something that is under the remit of the UK Government rather than the Welsh Government.

“But what I can tell you is that we are very proud of the fact that we are trying to drive businesses into the town centre, making sure that we have a balanced approach to the town centre.

“That's why we've made it clear we want to see, for example, licensing for tobacco and vape shops.

“There is a proliferation of those, and there's an imbalance on our high street in relation to those.”