Russell George: As the economy and skills sector are intertwined, bad news for the economy is, sadly, bad news for skills. As I come on to skills, I think I'd first like to acknowledge the key role that the health and social care apprentices have played in an effort to contain and respond to the pandemic. Witnesses were keen to tell us how apprentices had stepped up to the challenge over these last few...
Russell George: Thankfully, Deputy Presiding Officer, due to the hard work of our NHS staff and because Welsh citizens have played their part and stayed at home, we have, we hope, passed the high-water mark. However, as the tide recedes, it is, of course, revealing an economic emergency, which is why I requested this earlier debate. Yesterday's announcement from Airbus is part of that unfolding emergency. I...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I move the motion in my name. I'd like to thank the Presiding Officer for allowing this debate earlier than would have taken place in most circumstances.
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I align myself with others that have commented. I think it's clearly disappointing news and a real blow for the aviation sector in Wales, and I think thoughts are with all those staff that have been affected. Some of the key questions have been asked, but I think it is concerning that the Welsh Government wrote to Ryanair to ask the airline to postpone a...
Russell George: Thank you, Minister. I very much welcome that answer. Tourism businesses, I think, are looking to the Welsh Government for some kind of aspirational timetable on when they can reopen their doors again—operating, of course, under social distancing guidance. In order to avoid irreversible damage to the mid-Wales economy—and I know you care about the mid-Wales economy as I do—what do you...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. If I can put, perhaps, an example to you of a not-for-profit childcare provider in Machynlleth in my constituency, with a rateable value of £12,000. They've contacted me to say that the vast majority of their income comes from charging fees for looked-after children as opposed to donations. They say that they are not eligible for the business rates relief...
Russell George: Trefnydd, I would be grateful if you could investigate the issue of written oral questions that have not been answered, dating back, in my case, as far as 2016, from Welsh Government Ministers. I know that this is an issue that has been raised a number of times in this Chamber, but I do feel now that we need to get to the bottom of why written questions are simply not answered by Welsh...
Russell George: First Minister, last week, the UK Government introduced the Business and Planning Bill in Parliament, which included a set of urgent measures to help businesses adjust to new ways of working to respond to the current pandemic. The hospitality industry in Wales have said that it needs a clear road map for reopening and Government support to get back on its feet. So, I think it certainly will...
Russell George: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of business rates relief grants for the not-for-profit sector during the Covid-19 pandemic? OQ55353
Russell George: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the promotion of mid Wales as a tourist destination? OQ55352
Russell George: I'm pleased to take part in this debate this afternoon. Llywydd, we entered lockdown as a United Kingdom and as four nations, and I believe that it's, sadly, deeply damaging to the Welsh economy that we're easing lockdown in a disunited way. Yesterday, we saw the Prime Minister announce an ease of social distancing guidance and reopening of the hospitality sector. Of course, that was relevant...
Russell George: Minister, you've now got a question from me. [Laughter.] Thank you. Minister, you've outlined support for local authorities, but I've had a number of town and community councils contact me, and I'm aware that some of those councils are suffering significantly—perhaps some more than others. So, if I do give the example of Welshpool Town Council, for example, it suffered loss from income...
Russell George: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, the further job losses at Laura Ashley, an iconic and major employer in Newtown, would have been headline news if it wasn't for this current pandemic. It's absolutely devastating, of course, that the retail and manufacturing operations will cease. This couldn't have come at a worse time, I'm sure you'll agree. Just a few months ago, approximately 550 workers...
Russell George: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on the support provided to county, town and community councils during the Covid-19 pandemic? OQ55317
Russell George: Will the First Minister make a statement on support for employees who have been made redundant at Laura Ashley in Newtown following the announcement that management have been unable to secure a going concern for retail and manufacturing operations?
Russell George: What support is the Welsh Government providing to the charitable and voluntary sector during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Russell George: How is the Welsh Government supporting farmers in mid Wales?
Russell George: I remember, the first week I was elected to the Senedd, Oscar taking a number of new Members out for dinner and insisting that he must pay. And that's when I first got to really know Oscar, and those of us in the tea room will so often remember that phrase, 'This is on me', in the tea room. Oscar was just such a generous man in his words and in his deeds. What I do recall about Oscar so often...
Russell George: Turning, if I can, Minister, to transport, what work has been done to tackle the rolling stock shortage during the lockdown so that the practicalities of social distancing demand on public transport with severely reduced capacity can be met? Are there any plans for Transport for Wales to use this time of reduced services to make improvements to their rolling stock, and, if so, what are the...
Russell George: Can I thank the Minister for his statement? I think much of it I also heard at the Welsh Government's 12:30 briefing today, which you led. Minister, retail businesses in England will be reopening on Monday, and Welsh businesses, specifically those on the border, such as in your constituency and mine, will be disadvantaged. I wonder what you can say to these businesses in terms of giving them...
