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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Two issues, if I may, First Minister. Firstly, I wonder if the Welsh Government could look again at this 5-mile travel rule and provide guidance on this. I know you've said previously that it is guidance and discretionary for people on how far they do travel, but I've got many constituents who are still unclear and very concerned that they can't travel to see family and friends. So, could we...
Nick Ramsay: Sorry, I was using the mouse that doesn't work. [Laughter.] Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, I wonder if you could just give us a little bit more information about the education of the under-fives that you mentioned earlier in answer to Darren Millar. I think you said that it's impossible to really adhere to social distancing with that sort of age group, and I think you mentioned that it...
Nick Ramsay: First Minister, if I can ask you about two areas, firstly, briefly, I've been contacted by a constituent who is concerned that, as businesses come out of lockdown, there could be a number of issues that have developed over a long period of businesses being closed down, such as legionnaire's disease, for instance, that could generate subsequent public health issues. So, I wonder if you could...
Nick Ramsay: I'm pleased to be able to contribute to this debate. These are certainly unprecedented times. It's clearly vital that the correct balance is now struck between dealing effectively with the current pandemic whilst getting the economy moving again as swiftly as possible and protecting jobs and livelihoods. With that in mind, can I back those calls that have been made already for, as much as...
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister, and, as you say, I am used to the technicality of the supplementary budgets, but this one will be more important than ever, for obvious reasons, so we look forward to that. In terms of the business rates answer that you've just given as well, as I say, I appreciate there are certain reasons for the policy, but I think there are really strong arguments for giving that...
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you, Minister, for your statement this afternoon. These are, clearly, dark days for the economy as the lockdown inevitably sees the reduction in economic growth and GDP that you've outlined. So, the role of the Welsh Government in supporting business and preparing for the future at this time is, indeed, vital. With this in mind, you'll be aware that there's...
Nick Ramsay: Is that working?
Nick Ramsay: I was talking to myself for a while. Diolch, Llywydd. And thank you, Minister, for your statement. I've got to say, it's good to hear a statement—we're in such difficult times, it's good to hear a statement talking about some of the opportunities that we face beyond the current COVID pandemic, rather than just some of the immense challenges that we face. Minister, you mentioned the future...
Nick Ramsay: [Inaudible.]—Dirprwy Lywydd, and can I concur with previous sentiments that we're thinking of those on the front line at the moment in our public services? And I know that the Minister for economy has stated that as well. If I could just ask a couple of questions about the economy specifically, then transport, Minister. First of all, a number of speakers, including Russ George, have spoken...
Nick Ramsay: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon. I think those last words he used, of compassion, urgency and care, are well-founded. Minister, you've saluted those running our small businesses, and I think that in the same way that we salute those who've been working in the NHS and the care industry, I think that we should also be saluting those running our businesses at the moment...
