4. Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:25 pm on 22 April 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 4:25, 22 April 2020

Can I thank Mike Hedges for his contribution? I think in terms of support for those who have just recently found they've got a massive fall in their turnover, their income, as a consequence of coronavirus, they can check their eligibility through Business Wales—the online portal—for the economic resilience fund. There's also the support from the UK Government for the self-employed.

I can't comment on each and every sector at this time, and each and every business that may find themselves struggling to identify whether there is support available. The best way for a business to do that for sure is to go over to the Business Wales website and to look at the various schemes that are available there. Specifically with regard to the ERF, which is linked—the criteria are linked—to significant reductions in turnover, there is an eligibility tool that is very simple. A sole trader could go through it in a matter of minutes to be able to ascertain whether they'd be eligible for that support or any other support that Business Wales is providing advice on.

In terms of the retail sector, this is another sector that, in all likelihood, will require a lengthier period of support from Governments. There is no doubt whatsoever, though, that because of behaviour change that's going to be inspired by this period, there will be a further acceleration of the shift towards a lot of online retail. That will have knock-on effects for the nature of the high street—what a high street or what a town centre is actually going to be for in the years to come. So, work is under way in the housing and local government department concerning the town-centre-first approach, and how we can reshape town centres against this new pressure of coronavirus and the likely impact that it will have on long-term consumer trends.

That said, we are also working on the retail sector—specifically, this is work in north Wales, where we've drawn together local authorities, the economic ambition board, the retail sector itself and Welsh Government on a piece of work that has three strands to it, which includes the future of the high street. I would certainly consider extending this piece of work to the other three regions of Wales, because I think it's going to be a vital, vital concern for local authorities, for Welsh Government and for the sector.