Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 3. Questions to the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales – in the Senedd at 11:38 am on 15 July 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 11:38, 15 July 2020

I'd like to thank the Member for his question, and if I can just say, first of all, that our more cautious approach in Wales has led to, as the First Minister has recently said, a positivity rate of just 0.25 per cent for all of those tests that are currently taking place. Compare that to Blackburn, where the rate is 7 per cent, 28 times higher. I'd ask any business in Wales, 'Would you prefer to be operating right now here or in Blackburn?' Our cautious approach is designed to prevent dangerous, damaging spikes and a second wave. That's why we've been cautious, that's why we have ensured that the long-term interests of the economy and businesses—the 260,000 businesses within Wales—are at the heart of our decision-making process.