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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:17 pm on 20 May 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:17, 20 May 2020

Well, can I begin by thanking Jayne Bryant for the nature of the question? The mental health of the nation is not good right now, and that's to say the least. I don't think many people have experienced such a traumatic time outside bereavement or the break-up of a relationship. This is a major issue for the nation's health. We're utilising the economic contract to encourage more responsible business behaviour.

We went into coronavirus with hundreds of economic contracts in place. The number of economic contracts that we will have secured once we come out of the crisis will have increased by more than 1,000 per cent. As part of that contract—there are only four points to it—a business has to demonstrate how it is improving the mental health of its workforce. We've seen from those businesses that have signed up to the economic contract to date incredible creativity, innovation and responsibility in improving their workers' mental health. I'm keen to go on working in collaboration with organisations such as Mind Cymru to promote schemes such as Time to Change to ensure that, as we emerge from coronavirus, the well-being of our nation is at least as important a consideration as the wealth of our nation, and that the mental health of people across Wales is improved dramatically and swiftly as we come out of the pandemic.