THE business grant from the Welsh Language Board will cease at the end of this month, Welsh Conservatives can reveal.

The grant was designed to help businesses across Wales increase bilingualism.

Member of the Welsh Language LCO committee Darren Millar AM said he was shocked at the news. He added:

"I am stunned that in a matter of weeks businesses across Wales will no longer have access to this grant.

"What's more, the Assembly Government has done nothing to publicise this fact.

"Businesses across Wales are now going to find themselves out of pocket as they have to pay themselves for Welsh signs and materials.

"The Assembly Government could have really made something of this scheme and boosted bilingualism in SMEs – but instead they did little to advertise it when it was running and are now quietly putting it to bed."

Shadow Welsh language Minister Paul Davies said:

"The Assembly Government cannot expect companies to increase bilingualism, while at the same time remove the grant that would help them do this.

"With Welsh businesses everywhere struggling through the recession, spending money on boosting bilingualism will not be a top priority.

"The Federation of Small Businesses believes that if this grant had been properly
supported then it would have had the desired effect of increasing the use of the Welsh language.

"Now instead, the Assembly Government has put another financial strain on companies and businesses throughout Wales."