Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:45 pm on 10 June 2020.
Can I thank the Minister for his statement today? I think there is much in it that we would all in the Chamber agree with, and also, we acknowledge the many interventions that have been going on, put in place by the Welsh Government, and we thank you for those. Despite the considerable financial help that some businesses have been able to access, many of those in my constituency are now expressing deep concern about their ability to continue trading.
Obviously, those at the forefront of the current restrictions are pubs, restaurants and the service trades in general. I have evidence that some pub-based catering chains will not be reopening a number of their outlets post lockdown, with, of course, a subsequent loss of jobs—jobs that are often at the lower end of the skills market. So, notwithstanding your desire to keep people safe from infection, and we all agree with that, can the Minister urge the Government to ease restrictions on these trades as soon as possible? Because I believe irreparable damage is now being inflicted on the Welsh economy—damage that may never be reversed.