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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:32 pm on 10 June 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 1:32, 10 June 2020

Absolutely, I'll guarantee today that I'll make those representations, and in regard to what support we may be able to offer, if we were able to introduce a hardship bursary for any individuals that simply cannot benefit from existing support systems, then we will do so in partnership with our local government colleagues. 

A significant number of businesses are still able to apply for support through the job retention scheme, the self-employment support scheme, without actually being aware that they are able to. So, I would urge all businesses to check with Business Wales whether they are eligible for Welsh Government or for UK Government support, because the vast majority right now are able to access financial support. 

And Helen Mary Jones is absolutely right that employers need to act with compassion and understanding. Clearly, people who are shielded should not be expected to return to work if they are asked to do so, and they should have a letter available to them that would be able to be presented to an employer. For those individuals who are not shielded but are supporting shielded individuals, I would say that a responsible business must take account of that and must show complete understanding. And I would hope that businesses that are unionised would be particularly determined to ensure that all workers return in a safe way and in a way that doesn't put at risk anybody's lives or well-being. 

And you're absolutely right, Helen Mary Jones, in saying that, based on the evidence that is emerging, Welsh communities stand to be adversely impacted above and beyond those across England because of the high reliance on sectors that are going to be particularly hard hit and for longer, and because of the age profile of the workforce in Wales, and because of historic reasons—reasons relating to de-industrialisation, for example. 

As a consequence of this, we are absolutely clear that initiatives such as the UK industrial strategy must be shaped for Wales as well as for English regions, and the contact that I've had with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has been very, very productive, and I do hope that the next iteration of the UK industrial strategy will significantly benefit the Welsh economy, because, as the Member has already stated, we can't have Barnettised support that doesn't recognise the scale of the need of the Welsh economy. Instead, we have to have support that reflects on the additional requirements of Welsh businesses and also of Welsh workers.