Minister, this is not the first time that I've had to raise with you the negative impact that your county-wide economic lockdown is having on my constituents in Aberconwy: retailers taking as little as £6.50 a day despite overheads of thousands; hoteliers desperately worrying about their business and, indeed, their own mental health. Our local authority's extremely vulnerable to serious damage because this economy and people's livelihoods are so heavily reliant on tourism; the sector worth £904 million to the county. A report published by the Centre for Towns found that Llandudno has nearly 41 per cent of employees in shut-down sectors—the highest rate in north Wales. Criticisms are already levied against you from elected politicians and the industry itself, simply requesting that scientific evidence that tourists are carrying COVID-19 into north Wales—prove it. Even the First Minister has repeatedly said that there is no such evidence, and yet, today, talk about further restrictions, now already known as 'Drakeford's Welsh wall'. And I said wall, not wool. [Laughter.] How can you justify not including coming on holiday as a reasonable excuse in the regulations? Now I, more than anyone, with an older demographic and vulnerable people, know that there is a exponential rise of active COVID cases, and we're not stupid; we know that measures have to be taken. However, have you stopped to think of the long-term mental health impact on these business owners trying to fight for their own existence? And I don't just mean the buildings; I'm talking about the existence of their employees and indeed themselves. Information released by Business Wales today relating to the £1,000 or £1,500 local lockdown fund grant will simply not go anywhere near to help these businesses, and I'm actually very furious—and I think it's underhand—that you've included a 21-day rule. I don't think many of my businesses even know that yet, but they have to be locked down for 21 days before they're even entitled to a penny. I think that's disgraceful. And you have made matters even worse by making funds a first-come, first-served basis. We know how chaotic, when applying for this grant funding, it can be, and many will be left far behind. This fund needs opening up so that all businesses affected by the lockdown have some financial support. And to add insult to injury, you have the audacity to suggest to my hoteliers that—you know, there was an expectation on any businesses to join a trade union, thereby you creating a socialist utopia. Will you withdraw that innuendo, because that has really, really caused concerns?

At this time of crisis, the best action employers can do to support employees is to try and save their jobs. That is only possible if proportionate support is given by the Welsh Government and this ridiculous economic lockdown is lifted. Similarly, the constituents of Aberconwy deserve an answer as to the reasoning behind this economic lockdown. These people are incredibly intelligent, and you are treating them not so. How have we reached the point in which you have local data for Bangor, Bridgend, Llanelli, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, but not wards in Conway county? We've repeatedly called for smart, hyperlocal lockdowns, which even Dr Atherton has noted as being a more democratic way of introducing restrictions. Communities like Betws-y-Coed deserve to know if there is a record of COVID-19 in their village, and, if so, whether it is proportionate to have the gateway to Snowdonia crippled by the economic lockdown.

And indeed it is not just the coast that is being hard hit, but it's rural Wales too. Llanrwst has seen Glasdir close its doors for good; as of August, 1,200 individuals in the agricultural, forestry and fishing sector have been furloughed. For Aberconwy and rural Wales, the pandemic has gone to highlight the huge reliance on agriculture and tourism. We need to champion diversification and grow other sectors in rural Wales. The potential is clear, with exciting developments such as Aberystwyth University's brand new Aber innovation campus, and the development company in Trawsfynydd, Cwmni Egino. However, such developments and strengthening of new sectors in rural and along the coast in north-west and west Wales will only be achieved if, in response to the pandemic, the Welsh Government listen to the dramatic calls to make not only Wrexham and Deeside the primary focus for north Wales in the national development framework, but Caernarfon, Bangor and the Menai strait area too.

Whilst I repeat the importance of backing our existing tourism sector, the pandemic really has shone a light on the need for your response to COVID-19 to include seeing the whole of west Wales, from Penmaenmawr to Pembrokeshire, supported in developing other sectors too. Minister, First Minister, Welsh Government: you are failing the people of Wales. You are failing our businesses. You are failing their employees. Please rethink this, and let's demolish Drakeford's Welsh wall.