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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:28 pm on 10 June 2020.

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Photo of Helen Mary Jones Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru 1:28, 10 June 2020

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to thank the Minister very much for his statement, and just to say how much I welcome his emphasis on safety when it comes to opening up the economy. I hope that, across the Chamber, we would all agree with that.

Of course, the reopening of the criteria for the economic resilience fund is welcome, and I'm particularly pleased to say that for businesses not registered for VAT it will now be available. But, as the Minister has said himself, there are a large number of businesses still that are not being able to be helped, particularly businesses operating from home, and I've had everything from hauliers to hairdressers to bed and breakfasts—companies that are viable businesses, but are not paying business rates. The Minister mentions in his statement some further support for them. I wonder if the Minister can tell us today when he thinks he will be likely to be able to make that additional support, for example, for start-up businesses—when he's likely to be able to announce what that will look like.