Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:41 pm on 3 November 2020.
Well, Llywydd, the first way to give confidence to Welsh businesses is in being accurate about what we say to them. So, I could try and unscramble a number of the inaccuracies in the questions that the leader of the opposition has just put to me. Let us be clear, properties will automatically qualify for help from that aspect of the fund that deals with people who are on the non-domestic rates rating for their local authorities. Of course, they have to apply for it; we're not in the business of offering help to businesses who don't want it. But all they have to do is demonstrate that they were on the non-domestic rates rating list and they will get that help automatically.
Nor is the Member correct in saying that all aspects of the third phase of the ERF were closed that rapidly. The £200 million lockdown business fund element remains open and is still taking applications. It is true that one strand in the fund received a very large number of applications very rapidly. We will look, Llywydd, to see whether there is any further possibility of reopening that aspect of the fund, and, as I said to Paul Davies, we'll be immensely helped in that when the Treasury is able to tell us the consequential funding that will come to Wales as a result of the help that has already been guaranteed to businesses in England.
I'm making a statement later this afternoon, Llywydd, in relation to the post-firebreak arrangements here in Wales, and I'll have things to say for the hospitality sector then.