Plaid Cymru: Business and employment

Find out more about Plaid Cymru policies on business and employment

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THE BURDEN ON BUSINESS

Plaid Cymru is committed to obtaining a parliament for Wales with full legislative powers to replace the current Assembly, including the right to decide on business taxation.

It is committed to stimulating the Welsh economy, which is heavily reliant on manufacturing.

Its economic policy is based on the principle of redistribution, to correct what it sees as years of under-investment in Wales and other countries within Britian.

The party advocates regional tax incentives to benefit certain areas of the UK though, for instance, varying corporation tax of National Insurance contributions in deprived areas.

It will also campaign for the establishment of a regional development policy to spread prosperity within the countries of Britain.

Plaid Cymru is also calling for a review of the Barnett Formula, which decides how regional aid is allocated, from a system based on population to one based on need.

It also wants more measures to help small businesses.

It wants to reform business rates, so that they are based on profit and turnover - to force large businesses to carry a "fair share" of the tax burden.

Plaid Cymru is also committed to 'sustainable' economic development, which has the minimum impact on the environment and communities.

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WORKPLACE RIGHTS

Plaid Cymru is firmly pro-European and supports the social chapter, which guarantees basic employment rights.

The party is in favour of raising the minimum wage to £5 and abolishing the lower rate that applies for younger workers.

PC has also proposed targets to narrow the gap between male and female wages.

It wants protection of workers rights to be central to a reformed EU and world trade system.

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THE NEW ECONOMY

PC wants policy makers in Wales to target job development in new and emerging industries like biotechnology, agri-technology, and environmental protection, shifting production to higher-value industries.

It also wants to raise the skill levels of workers through intensive IT training.