The Welsh Government is making progress in ensuring that those
employed in the retail sector are fairly and properly paid and
treated.
Marking the progress seen during the first year of the Welsh
Government's Retail Action Plan, the Minister for Social
Partnership outlined the actions being taken – from enabling the
wider implementation of a real living wage to ongoing financial
support with nondomestic rates bills and future proofing. She
also committed to working with Police and Crime commissioners to
tackle the physical and verbal abuse which remains too common in
the sector.
The Minister for Social Partnerships, , said:
“The retail sector is one of the largest private sector employers
in Wales, offering diverse and rewarding careers. This is why we
have focused on the “people” elements of our Retail Action Plan
over the past year, which aligns with the Economic Mission key
national priorities of skills, young people and the everyday
economy.
“A better deal for workers is one of the keys to unlocking the
door to a stronger, better, fairer and more sustainable future
for the retail sector. Our Fair Work principles are central to
this and will address some of the issues we know are being faced
by the sector.
“Over the past year we have seen average wages across the retail
sector improve compared with Wales averages, which is good to
hear, although we recognise there is still a great deal of work
to do to ensure those who work in the retail sector have access
to fair, safe and secure work.”
The Welsh Government is investing an additional £78m to provide a
fifth successive year of support for retail, leisure and
hospitality businesses with their non-domestic rates bills -
building on the almost £1bn of support provided through its
retail, leisure, and hospitality rates relief schemes since
2020-21.
It has also made an extra £20 million available through its
Future Proofing Fund, which will help up to 2,500 micro, small
and medium sized businesses in the retail, leisure and
hospitality sectors to invest in renewable energy technology,
improvements to their premises, and upgrades to systems or
machinery to reduce energy bills.
Embargoed until after MS, Minister for Social
Partnerships has delivered the statement (approx 17.45
today).
