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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:52 pm on 10 June 2020.

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Photo of Suzy Davies Suzy Davies Conservative 1:52, 10 June 2020

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you for your statement, Minister. First of all, can I just clear something up here, and this is the extension of support to non-VAT-registered operators? Does that just apply to limited companies, or does it apply to firms and sole traders as well? We've been speaking about tourism quite a lot today, and a few people have mentioned B&Bs and, of course, those very small B&Bs aren't likely to be VAT registered and also they're outside the business rates system as well, because they're too small to be allowed to be registered. So perhaps you could clear that up. 

Secondly, as I think David Rowlands mentioned, we have still got businesses that are outside the ERF at the moment. I've had representations made by people who have actually been very successful, but can't actually access anything without giving personal guarantees, which they're reluctant to do because they're not sure about the viability of their business if they are in a sector that is going to be the last to open. So, I wonder if you could give us a little bit more detail on what you're looking at in that respect.