Nick Ramsay: This is indeed another sad day in the history of this Senedd. Oh, what can I say about my friend Mohammad Asghar? It's hard to believe that he's gone. I first got to know Oscar properly on the Finance Committee—on a trip, actually, a visit to Sweden back in around 2009, I think it was. We bonded over a cup of tea in a hotel lobby. Oscar loved his tea. In fact, he drank copious amounts of it...
Nick Ramsay: 9. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policies for supporting the economy during the current pandemic? OQ55325
Nick Ramsay: 5. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's policies for supporting farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ55326
Nick Ramsay: 5. Will the Minister provide an update on the additional resources being made available to local authorities to deal with current pressures? OQ55327
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, First Minister. These are clearly challenging times. You said earlier, in response to question 4—I think it was to Janet Finch-Saunders—that where certain areas of the economy, such as hospitality and tourism, cannot reopen, the UK Government furloughing scheme should continue. Of course, it strikes me that if those areas of the economy are reopening in England, then there will...
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister, and you've anticipated my supplementary question, which is on the topic of the dairy rescue scheme and the effect on dairy farmers at the moment—a very live issue in my corner of Wales, and a number of Members have asked you about it. You said—in answer to Angela Burns, I think it was, and, indeed, to Andrew R.T. Davies—that there are always going to be winners and...
Nick Ramsay: Nick.
Nick Ramsay: We sound very similar.
Nick Ramsay: There's no Churchill behind me.
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister. And we've already heard from other Members about the extra pressures that local authorities are facing at the moment. They're obviously facing a large loss of income and have been now for some months, but also they're facing the additional pressures, as we move forward, of reforming town centres, et cetera, to allow for social distancing. Also, the planning system will be...
Nick Ramsay: I'm pleased to contribute to this afternoon's debate. The Welsh Conservatives have long been calling for an emergency supplementary budget to provide transparency and clarity in the spending of money at this difficult time. And we do, of course, recognise the challenges that the pandemic is presenting to all the Governments of the UK, and the Welsh Conservatives wish to provide constructive...
Nick Ramsay: Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government’s policies for supporting tourism?
Nick Ramsay: Caroline Jones has focused on the council tax aspect of the local taxation issue. If I can focus on the business rates side of things, the Welsh Conservatives have long called for a whole look at the structure of business rates in Wales and business rates support, and the possibility of taking businesses with a rateable value of less than £15,000 out of paying altogether. Minister, I...
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, the recent news about job losses at Airbus has demonstrated the need for support for Welsh businesses at this very difficult time, and that includes the UK Government's furloughing scheme and, of course, Welsh Government support. Now, out of the £500 million pledge for the economic resilience fund, it seems that less than half of that has been used so far. Could...
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister. I think you're exactly right to say that this is a two-pronged approach. It is important that, along with the UK Government efforts, we do see that support from the Welsh Government, such as from the economic resilience fund. So, if you can keep us updated on those allocations, that would be helpful. You mentioned, as we move out of lockdown and rebuilding the economy,...
Nick Ramsay: Diolch. I'm clearly going to have a lot more questions for you after next Wednesday's economic statement—that's quite clear. Minister, finally from me today, and with my other hat on as Public Accounts Committee Chair, you'd expect me to ask you about the auditor general report that grants worth £53 million to boost the rural economy were made by the Welsh Government without officials...
Nick Ramsay: 7. Will the First Minister provide an update on the latest block grant drawn down from the UK Government? OQ55435
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, First Minister. Apologies for the rather dry phrasing of the question, but you got my drift. First Minister, as you say, the UK Government has just signed off the draw-down of the £857 million and the Welsh Government budget has been significantly uplifted since the start of the pandemic, and rightly so. As the focus now turns to leaving lockdown and getting the economy moving...
Nick Ramsay: I'm pleased to say a few words in this debate and thank Janet Finch-Saunders and indeed the Petitions Committee for having considered an important petition. I first raised the issue of Debenhams a number of weeks ago now when the threat to the Welsh stores in Newport and Swansea, I think it was, were first mentioned and first emerged in my local press. I think it's very easy for us to focus...
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I thank everyone who's taken part in this important debate today? I think, to start with, I have to turn to the Minister's comments. I'm all for robust debate in this Chamber or on Zoom, and I know that things have been a little bit difficult with the format of debates over recent times, but to attack our motion as not being a serious motion I was highly disappointed...
