Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:40 pm on 3 November 2020.
Well, First Minister, it remains a fact that businesses in most parts of south Wales and north Wales have been under Government restrictions for several weeks, and many have simply not been able to access the support that they need, and prior to the Wales-wide lockdown, you made it clear that businesses would receive grants automatically. However, that hasn't been the case. Not only have businesses had to apply for grants, the funding is provided on a first come, first served basis, rather than on actual need. And, last week, the economic resilience fund phase 3 business development grant, which you've just referred to, was suspended a mere 24 hours after opening, and businesses are still concerned and anxious over how they can stay afloat and provide jobs for local people. And, even now, hospitality businesses are still in limbo about what the new Welsh Government measures will mean for them from next Monday. So, First Minister, what steps is the Welsh Government taking to provide confidence to Welsh businesses that they will be able to access the support that they need, when they need it? And are you now in a position to provide some much needed clarity to hospitality businesses across Wales so they can plan ahead of the new measures next week? And can you tell us if the economic resilience fund phase 3 will be reopened, and when will this take place?