2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:54 pm on 10 December 2019.

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Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative 2:54, 10 December 2019

Can I concur with Mike Hedges's previous comments and requests on two issues? Firstly, on the request for a statement and update on what the Welsh Government is doing to help disabled people into work or back into work. Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of visiting Legacy International Group Ltd, based in Merthyr but serving the whole of south Wales. They have got a number of projects going forward to help disability-confident projects to try and achieve their goals. I thought there was a worthwhile number of projects going on there, so I think I'd like to hear what support is going on to help those.

Secondly, Mike Hedges raised the issue of incineration, which I know a number of Members have raised over the last few weeks and months. I've had an issue in my own constituency just outside Usk with a plan for a new incinerator. As Mike will know, when those proposals come on, they cause great controversy locally and people do look for reassurance. Perhaps we could have a statement from the Minister with regard to how people can be reassured, and perhaps that these projects shouldn't go ahead until and unless there is a confirmation of their safety.

And finally, last week I raised with you the issue of Small Business Saturday and asked what Welsh Government was doing to look again at the business rates regime and support available for small businesses across Wales. On Saturday I visited a small business in my area, N. S. James of Raglan. I'm pleased to see that that small business is doing well, but, of course, across Wales, in all our constituencies, they are the backbone of our local economies. I asked you last week and I will ask again if we could perhaps have a statement from the Welsh Government on what support is available to support small businesses in Wales.