Nick Ramsay: I think Michelle Brown just about covered everything there, didn't she, First Minister? But I'll ask you about the tax situation. Yesterday, in Finance Committee, we had an evidence session with the finance Minister, where she spoke about the impact of the pandemic on house sales and on land transaction tax. What assessment has been made of the ongoing pandemic on not just that tax but on all...
Nick Ramsay: No? Okay.
Nick Ramsay: Thank you for your statement, First Minister. A couple of questions from me. Firstly—and this was covered in an answer that you gave to a question, partially covered in an answer you gave to a question, a few minutes ago—with regard to the health service and operations, a number of constituents have contacted me who have had operations deferred due to the COVID-19 situation. I appreciate...
Nick Ramsay: I've got the message, Chair; I will be succinct. Thank you, and I'm pleased to contribute to this debate and, indeed, to follow the Minister emeritus—it's always good to listen to what Alun Davies has to say. It did amuse me slightly when you said, Alun, that you hoped you'd have more luck with Rebecca than her predecessor, because her predecessor was, of course, the First Minister, so I...
Nick Ramsay: Can I concur with the comments and questions that were posed by my colleague Janet Finch-Saunders at the opening of this topical questions session? Minister, a lot has been said about the importance of testing and tracking and the issues in the domiciliary care sector. I know that Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have put a particular emphasis recently on testing patients before they...
Nick Ramsay: Minister, I must admit that I do like the expression 'build back better', it's got a certain catchiness to it, but, of course, what matters is that it actually works on the ground and that we do see really positive policy changes to make sure that there is change as we come out of the pandemic. Whilst I would agree with all of those areas that John Griffiths rightly cited as areas for...
Nick Ramsay: Minister, we've known for a long time that the risks associated with air travel are lower, because of the air filtering systems that planes are fitted with, and it looks now as though that sort of technology might be more widely available for other transport. Own Buses in Warrington is thought to be the first bus company in the world to install air cleaning devices across its entire fleet in...
Nick Ramsay: What plans does the Welsh Government have to improve transport links to the new Grange University Hospital when it opens in November 2020?
Nick Ramsay: Well, I'm glad you've said that, Mick Antoniw, because it is quite true to say that we did not support the public ownership of that airport. But I tell you what, what is ironic is when you support public ownership of the airport and you put public money into that, and then you take decisions that refuse flights to fly from that airport that is going to get money back for the taxpayer. So, if...
Nick Ramsay: I would otherwise, Jenny. The relaxation of the coronavirus restrictions on travel has created, I think it's true to say, a range of challenges, but also a range of opportunities, and I think that we need to look at the balance between those and make sure that we appreciate that. As Darren Millar said in opening, there's no doubt at all that restrictions, such as the 5-mile rule, no matter...
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...
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: 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: 7. Will the First Minister provide an update on the latest block grant drawn down from the UK Government? OQ55435
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: 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, 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: 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: Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government’s policies for supporting tourism?
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...
