Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The Minister talks about action; well, the farming community, Minister, want action from you. Now, the only area that I can agree that you spoke to this afternoon, Minister—and Jenny Rathbone—was that we all have a role in improving water quality. That's correct—all of us do, businesses and farmers included, and farmers accept that role. But any...
Russell George: Come on—[Inaudible.]
Russell George: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement? I agree with the Deputy Minister; I think the pandemic has strengthened the case for the foundational economy, for the reasons he outlined. Fifteen months ago, Deputy Minister, you said that you would be building the road as you travel when it comes to the experimental approach to the foundational economy. Back then, in November 2019, which...
Russell George: Can I thank the Minister for his statement today and the advanced copy, as always? I think, from my perspective, Minister, any additional support for Welsh businesses has to be welcomed, so, certainly, from my perspective, I and colleagues welcome the additional support for the Development Bank of Wales. There are large elements of what you said that I can agree with. Clearly, I'm going to...
Russell George: Thank you, First Minister, for your answer. I certainly welcome that schools have reopened as of yesterday for younger children. A concern raised with me is that school uniform seems to be classed as a non-essential item and is unable to be purchased. Shoe shops are closed, meaning that children cannot be measured to get approximate-sized shoes. So, what advice can you provide to parents in...
Russell George: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on the reopening of schools? OQ56303
Russell George: My question has been addressed in an earlier question. Thank you.
Russell George: I've heard your response, Minister, to David Rowlands, but, of course, it's a matter for the Welsh Government how the Welsh Government cuts its cloth in terms of the funding from central Government. Now, I am concerned that, in the budget for national transport, infrastructure has gone from £150 million this year to £129 million in the next financial year. There are certainly long-term...
Russell George: I think the big concern for the committee and myself is the fact that all available budget for the pandemic in terms of business relief has not been drawn down, so it would seem—if I'm incorrect, the finance Minister can outline that. So, I would be interested to know and understand, if the Welsh Government is not drawing down all the money that's available to it in terms of business...
Russell George: Thank you—I thank the Government, for bringing, obviously, this debate forward, but I'm happy to speak myself in terms of me as Chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee. First of all, I would say—. I'm scrabbling to find my notes, as it happens. Apologies for that. There we are. Sorry, Presiding Officer. In terms of the work of the committee, we've obviously looked at the...
Russell George: How is the Welsh Government supporting communities affected by flooding in mid Wales?
Russell George: Thank you, Minister. I'm very pleased to hear about the Dyfi bridge. I know that's a question that's been asked for some time, and I hope we do get that firm commitment and detail that we need on that. My specific question really concerns delays around the Cefn bridge in Trewern, causing huge congestion and disruption for people living in the area and across Wales. This is bridge that's been...
Russell George: Well, can I thank the Minister for his offer, and I'm certainly happy to take him up on that? I think the headlines from me, in terms of ideas, would be to make the criteria less restrictive on the economic resilience fund, to allow more businesses to apply. I appreciate that hospitality businesses on the high street might have got the non-domestic rate relief, but they weren't able to have...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. I would suggest that those figures aren't particularly good. If only 7,600 businesses have actually brought forward applications, then the money hasn't even got to them yet; they're just applications that have been received. That tells us that there are thousands and thousands of businesses across Wales that haven't been supported in this particular...
Russell George: Diolch, Presiding Officer, and good afternoon, Minister. Two weeks ago, Minister, you launched the £180 million sector-specific fund to support the hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors. How many businesses have already been supported and how much has been allocated, and how much money is still left in that pot to be allocated to those businesses?
Russell George: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on road improvement schemes in mid Wales? OQ56172
Russell George: I think I'll tone my question a bit differently. I was very pleased, First Minister, that Wizz Air's recent commitment to start operating from the airport was particularly good for the airport—a real boost for the airport and the aviation sector at, obviously, a very difficult time. From my perspective, I want to see the Welsh Government support Cardiff Airport in order that best value can...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the amendment in the name of my colleague Darren Millar. I'd like to thank the IAR group for the debate today. The motion is very wide ranging, but I'm going to focus my comments on support for businesses and the economy. I think, to do that, I'm going to put some context here in terms of the support that the UK Government has already provided to...
Russell George: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement today? And also my own thanks to Lord Burns and the commissioners for their recommendations also. And I should also like to thank Lord Burns and Peter McDonald from the commission secretariat for attending the EIS committee last week, which I thought was particularly helpful. From my perspective, Deputy Minister, the volume of traffic in Wales...
Russell George: First Minister, I've had a number of concerns raised with me from those businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector. The issue seems to be that the criteria for the economic resilience fund are that they have to employ staff on the pay-as-you-earn system. Many in that industry, of course, would point out that that's the very nature of the industry, where they do employ people on a...
