The Centre For Towns report also highlights that the impact of COVID-19 on Welsh communities has been exacerbated by existing structural inequalities that have not been tackled by the Welsh Government. The report shows that Valleys communities and seaside towns in Wales, such as Rhyl, Ebbw Vale and Maesteg, are amongst the most vulnerable to an economic downturn caused by COVID-19. Of course, many of these places are still yet to recover from the macroeconomic shift from an industrial economy to one dominated by high-skilled, white-collar employment or retail. As we already know, some of these ex-industrial and coastal towns were already in need of significant investment prior to the virus outbreak, and crucial investment is needed now more than ever.

Now, last week's statement also introduced some tentative proposals for reopening parts of the tourism industry, and the announcement confirmed that self-contained accommodation providers can start to prepare for reopening in the next few weeks. However, the feedback that I've received from tourism operators in Pembrokeshire is that, in reality, this will be a big challenge. Tourism businesses will need to prepare risk assessments, and in the event, for example, that a guest develops COVID-19 symptoms whilst on holiday, the provider will have to allow for that guest to stay and self-isolate. This, of course, results in more questions than answers for some operators—for example, who pays for the extended stay of someone shielding in a self-catering apartment or cottage? Who compensates the guests that are unable to book as a result of an extended stay?

The Welsh tourism industry is worth £3 billion to our economy, and it's these sorts of questions and much more that need to be ironed out before operators can be confident that they're able to open their doors. These questions for self-contained accommodation providers and the lack of support and clarity for so many operating in the tourism sector continue to be hugely worrying. Therefore, perhaps, in responding to our debate this afternoon, the Minister will commit to publishing a specific tourism sector strategy for the short, medium and long terms, with clear information, clear allocations of funding and clear details about how the Welsh Government will be supporting those businesses going forward.

Now, I've attended a series of online business forums to discuss the general challenges facing businesses in my own area, and I've attended a series of online business forums especially for tourism businesses in my constituency. The outcome of those discussions is clear: more support is needed, more communication and more clarity are required. And, Dirprwy Lywydd, it's not just tourism businesses that are struggling, and that are feeling left behind. I continue to receive correspondence from sole-director limited companies who simply feel that the Welsh Government isn't even acknowledging them, let alone supporting them. I've also received correspondence from business partnerships who again tell me the Welsh Government isn't acknowledging or working with them. These are people's jobs, their incomes and their livelihoods, so at the very least they deserve to be genuinely listened to and offered some support to help their businesses survive.

Members will be aware that we've called on the Welsh Government to come forward with a recovery fund for those areas most affected by COVID-19 economically, and I hope the Welsh Government will consider this. The Welsh Government needs to send a clear statement to these communities that they are being prioritised and that that support is forthcoming. We've also called on the Government to create business rate-free zones in these communities and to scrap business rates for all businesses in those zones, regardless of value, to encourage employment post pandemic. I therefore urge the Government to consider the merits of this, too. Wales's post-COVID-19 recovery will be strengthened if the Welsh Government can work with all parties, and our communities deserve no less.

The final point that I'd like to touch upon is in relation to public transport. The First Minister's announcement last week said nothing of the impact that the changes announced would mean for public transport providers, and so I'd encourage the Welsh Government to urgently undertake discussions with public transport providers to ascertain how services will need to change in light of the reopening of some businesses and schools, given that people will need to get to some of these businesses, and children will need to get to schools. I appreciate that some funding has been forthcoming to local authorities to introduce measures to improve the safety and conditions for sustainable and active travel modes in their areas in response to the COVID-19 crisis, but, with social distancing guidance to be complied with and no further support for the bus industry, it will be extremely difficult for providers to provide additional services. Therefore, I hope a further commitment to the bus industry is forthcoming so that providers can start planning future services and ensure users are able to be transported effectively and efficiently.

Therefore, in closing, Deputy Presiding Officer, I hope the Welsh Government does consider some of the outstanding concerns of businesses across Wales and establishes clearer communication and guidance to the business industry so that Wales can start to rebuild its economy once again. Thank you.