6. Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:41 pm on 6 May 2020.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 5:41, 6 May 2020

Thank you for that set of questions. Well, the first and last points take us in the same direction, I think, don't they, in terms of identifying those areas where, in reconstructing the economy, we seek those opportunities, some of which we've learnt or perhaps re-learnt in the last few weeks, in particular around the digital space, the digital delivery of public services, and that plays into the role that technology businesses and employers will have in the future of Wales, as he indicates, but also in terms of more traditional sectors, so, for example, our ability to develop capacity to produce PPE, which has also been a feature of the last few weeks. So, there are things that we can learn and hope to build from that. And I think, in that sense, there are opportunities. I think it's difficult language to use in the context of the current situation that people face. But I think, clearly, where there are things that we can learn from, it's incumbent on us to do that. 

You mentioned the work with the future generations commissioner. That's exactly the kind of thing that I hope to be able to talk to her about in the coming days actually, so we'll be sharing some reflections very soon on that. And you mentioned the audit work, which I haven't yet looked at, but I will do that.

On the broader point about how the world of work is changing, well, I think that is part of this; it is an absolutely important part, but it is part of it. The changing of work patterns and how people respond to the need to continue to persuade and instill confidence in the workforce that they are in a safe environment will drive a lot of change, I think, for some time, won't it? So, homeworking will be a feature of that, which we obviously understand, and, as you say, staggered work days and other initiatives. But that poses a number of other challenges for us as well, doesn't it? So, for example, in Wales, we have a relatively higher proportion of key workers and a relatively lower proportion of workers from home in the current COVID situation, because of the make-up of our economy. So, the task will be to support those who are able to do that and want to continue to do that. And we don't underestimate the challenges that employers will face in addressing what are a multiple number of changes. I think there will be an important role for Governments to play together in trying to have a shared understanding of what the future can look like and I think, certainly across the UK, that the four-nations approach will play a continued part in that as well as in the immediate response—at least I hope it will.