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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:57 pm on 20 May 2020.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 2:57, 20 May 2020

Thank you, Minister. I think I'm particularly keen to understand how businesses can actually apply for the scheme before the checker is available. They can't prepare unless they know if they're eligible or not.

I wonder, also, if you could address why you were so reticent, I suppose, to publish an aspirational timetable with clear milestones for a phased reopening of the Welsh economy, and when that will take place.

I am also very concerned about the coach and bus industry, and I wonder if you could offer any outline of support that is coming for this particular sector.

I also note that the Federation of Small Businesses has made some very good suggestions on how the Welsh Government can support businesses to reopen, and I wonder how you would respond to some of their suggestions, namely that the Welsh Government should: publish advice and guidance on the 2m rule; introduce a social distancing grant fund that would target those businesses that are perhaps struggling to make some of those adaptations; introduce a tourism hibernation scheme to ensure that businesses in this sector particularly can survive until the 2021 season; and finally, how the Welsh Government's £19 million transformational towns programme can help towns to adapt in readiness for the recovery phase.