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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:59 pm on 22 April 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 4:59, 22 April 2020

Can I thank Leanne for her questions? I think it's worth saying that one of the specific cases that you outlined would have been eligible for a small loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Twenty five thousand pounds may be too much; the Development Bank of Wales's COVID-19 loan scheme offers smaller loans at very favourable interest rates with a year-long holiday. Now, that's been fully subscribed, but as I said previously to earlier questions, the development bank is looking at the second phase of the COVID-19 loan fund, so it may well be that the business you highlighted will be eligible for that second phase of support. Of course, there's also the role I've alluded to of the high-street banks in this regard as well. And it's not just coronavirus business interruption loan schemes that the high-street banks have access to; they can help their existing customers in many, many ways, whether it be with favourable terms on extended overdrafts, or favourable terms in terms of loans. It's absolutely vital that high-street banks step up to the mark in this regard. And I've already outlined the rationale for not including in phase 1 of the ERF those businesses that are not VAT registered, and I've given Members assurance that this is very, very much at the forefront of our minds as we develop phase 2.

Leanne is right that, in many respects, the support that needs to be offered to people who have fallen through the gap is welfare support, and we accept in Welsh Government we have a role. The UK Government have a very significant role as well, and I've already mentioned that work is under way to examine the role of the discretionary assistance fund as far as the Welsh Government is concerned.