7. Statement by the First Minister: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 10:11 am on 24 March 2020.

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Photo of Paul Davies Paul Davies Conservative 10:11, 24 March 2020

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and can I thank you, First Minister, for your statement this morning? And can I also thank you for the regular briefings you've given me over the last few weeks during this unprecedented time? As I've said before, we must put our political differences aside so that we work together to tackle this virus. Can I also take this opportunity to thank everyone who is helping to keep us safe during this crisis and to remind people to stay at home in order to save lives and to protect our NHS?

As the threat of the coronavirus continues to grow, it's absolutely essential that the Welsh Government now reprioritises its finances urgently to ensure that its resources are spent effectively during the course of this outbreak. Can you therefore confirm, First Minister, that the Welsh Government is urgently reprioritising its finances? And perhaps I can even suggest that you consider publishing an emergency budget going forward, so that the Government's finances can be refocused on essential services. Because, as you're aware, over the weekend, a number of local authorities have requested additional financial support to tackle this virus. 

Now, as the spread of the virus continues to develop, it's critical that all funding is made available to organisations and schemes that are supporting individuals and businesses affected by the outbreak. Therefore, I hope the Welsh Government will be looking at the funding allocations that it gives to third sector organisations and that, where it needs to, it diverts funding away from organisations that aren't at the front line of delivering key services at this particular time, because this will show that the Welsh Government has appropriately targeted every penny it can to supporting those affected by COVID-19, rather than continuing to fund schemes that are not in the immediate public interest. 

And can you therefore confirm, First Minister, that each Welsh Government Minister will urgently assess their funding streams and divert all available resources to tackling the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on Wales? And can you also tell us that any funding distributed to third sector organisations will only be distributed to those delivering key services at this time?

Now, at this time, it's vital that the Welsh Government does everything in its power to support those people who are working to combat the coronavirus, including ensuring that they have access to essential goods and services, such as childcare. Now, last Thursday, the UK Government provided comprehensive guidance on who our key workers are, and the Welsh Government also issued a letter to schools asking that they identify children of people involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak. However, I understand that some local authorities have ignored this and instead chosen to limit their school provision to those in health, social care and emergency services, contrary to the guidance issued.

Therefore, do you share my view, First Minister, that we need as much support as possible for all those working with us to combat COVID-19, and that we need to ensure there's clarity in the messages issued to the public? And, under those circumstances, what discussions has the Welsh Government had with local authorities and school leaders about ensuring that they are providing school and childcare provision to those working to tackle the outbreak and support those affected by coronavirus? And can you also tell us what planning the Welsh Government has done on how key workers can be supported over the medium and longer term so that they can be confident that provision will continue to be made available whilst they work to tackle the virus and support those that are affected.

Now, of course, as you've just said, First Minister, these are unprecedented times and we should all be very grateful to the hard-working NHS staff who are at the front line doing all that they can to ensure that patients get the health treatment and the support that they need. It's extremely vital that those staff are also taking every precaution possible to keep themselves safe. Where we can, we must look into recruiting professionals in order to ensure that continuity of service continues, and I'm pleased that many health professionals have now answered the calls to return to support the NHS during this crisis.

In the circumstances, First Minister, what immediate action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that these retired health professionals and, indeed, those that have left for other careers and are now returning are able to return as quickly as and efficiently as possible?

Now, I'm sure you'll agree with me that pharmacies will also play a very important role in the coming weeks to support communities, and I'd be grateful if you would tell us what assessment has the Welsh Government given to the role of community pharmacists at this time, and how their expert advice can be utilised? And, what discussions have taken place with local health boards to, for example, relax rules around issues such as issuing prescriptions, and in particular repeat prescriptions, for those that are now unable to physically attend a surgery to pick up their prescriptions?

Thousands of businesses across Wales are understandably anxious about the impact that the virus currently has on their business and may continue to have on their business. Of course, we've all received correspondence from businesses and the self-employed who tell us that they're struggling to better understand how the Welsh Government can help their business and, crucially, how to access that support as quickly as possible. So, can you tell us what monitoring is the Welsh Government undertaking of the work of Business Wales to ensure that it's getting the right support to businesses in Wales in a timely manner? What specific support is being made available to those businesses that don't currently pay business rates but still need support to keep their businesses afloat?

Now, I asked you last week about food supplies and shortages, and as the virus continues to spread there is a knock-on effect on the ability to get essential supplies to those that need them. I understand that the Welsh Government was meeting last week with third sector representatives and local authorities to discuss how best to get supplies to those most vulnerable, but there still are some very valid concerns amongst local charities across Wales who are supporting communities in getting food supplies to people.

So, could you tell us, therefore, what new measures the Welsh Government is taking to ensure that the most vulnerable in our communities are receiving the supplies that they actually need? What discussions have Government Ministers had with retailers about the role that they could play in supplying essential supplies to local charities and community organisations?

So, with that, Deputy Presiding Officer, can I once again thank the First Minister for his statement this morning? I look forward to receiving further updates from him and, indeed, from the Welsh Government in the coming days and in the coming weeks.