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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 11:06 am on 24 March 2020.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 11:06, 24 March 2020

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'll be as quick as I possibly can going through my questions. And can I first of all say, First Minister, that I'm very happy to work very constructively with your finance and business and economy Ministers in a constructive way to help support the business economy of Wales? And I very much hope that your colleagues are listening in—I'm sure they are—to the issues I am raising today, because if you aren't able to answer the questions and address them, which I understand and fully accept, then, I hope they will be able to pick these up, perhaps in a written statement. 

You referred to Business Wales as being a one-stop shop last week, and I was very pleased to hear your answer to Paul Davies earlier that 21 additional staff have now been put onto that line. Can I ask, First Minister, in terms of the website, are you absolutely certain that that is the most up-to-date information? I appreciate that there will be some time lag when putting, perhaps, UK Government information on there, but are you sure of that? Because, if that's out of date, in any way, then that puts pressure, of course, on the line and Assembly Members' offices, et cetera. So, confirmation of that would be appreciated. 

And can I ask also, in terms of the grants available for small businesses? A £10,000 grant for businesses with a rateable vale of under £12,000 and then £25,000 between £12,000 and £51,000 roughly; can I ask who is administrating that, when are they administrating it and how are they administrating it? Is it local authorities? I'd assume so, but perhaps you could provide some clarity on that. 

Yesterday, a lot of businesses would have received business rates demands. I'm sure that it would be helpful if you could put on the record that often, they will have gone out before these decisions were made, and that will offer some reassurance to businesses. But there is some more detail on that, such as, for example, perhaps premises that have been empty for six months or 12 months. Are they going to receive that? Perhaps some clarity around that, which would be helpful. 

Also, in terms of business rates, the relief, and in terms of the grants available, what is detailed as a retail or leisure or hospitality business? Your finance Minister made a statement last week. Is that including bed and breakfast or guest houses or hotels, for example? So, how can a business find out what classification they're in, in terms of whether they're a retail business? I'm sure that that's a variable, but if details of a website could be appointed to that, it would be very helpful. 

And, currently, business support relief relates only to business premises with a rateable value of £51,000. I really don't think that's sufficient. I really do think that needs to be higher, because there are many small businesses and family-run businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000. So, perhaps you could address that issue. Perhaps the business or finance Minister will address that in the statement later today, but if that could be addressed—. 

Also, in terms of what is an 'essential business', I'm sure all AMs across this Chamber would have received emails in their inboxes asking for advice. I think that businesses want to follow the Government advice, and they want clarity from us, so the interpretation of that—I appreciate that there could be a statement that’s read, but I do think that there needs to be a list, specifically, of what an essential business is. For example, is a manufacturing business? It depends what they manufacture. Is a construction worker, working lonely by themselves, for example?

And also, can I ask if you’ve got any details of how the UK Government scheme in terms of the job retention scheme is going to be funded? How is that going to be administrated, and how is that going to come forward? I appreciate that it’s not in your back entirely, but details on that would be helpful.

Also, in terms of advice and scrutiny of Ministers, but more advice, would you be accepting for Assembly Members to have telephone conversations with Ministers, perhaps with civil servants in a conference call style, because I think we do need to have advice—not scrutiny, but advice. And also, could you consider giving the telephone numbers of civil servants directly to Assembly Members in this particular time, to take pressure off Ministers to get answers to questions that we know that are coming before us?

Very finally, of a related matter, Laura Ashley in my own constituency went into administration last week. Normally, this would be a top headline, but clearly it’s not, it’s dropped down, but, there are between 500 and 600 people that are employed in Newtown and the area. Clearly, many families are employed by Laura Ashley together— the whole family is employed—and I wonder what discussions you may have had with the company. Have you been involved, has the Welsh Government been involved in terms of finding a buyer? And what support will be available for those staff who are affected? Thank you, Presiding Officer.