Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:43 pm on 3 November 2020.
Well, I'm glad you will be saying something a little bit later on this afternoon, because businesses do actually want clarity from you, First Minister. Now, it's not just businesses that need support; it's people too, of course. On 30 October, you once again confirmed that self-isolation grants can be awarded to people on low incomes in Wales who are required to self-isolate. You had previously given a similar commitment on 22 September. Now, First Minister, we know that local authorities in Scotland and England have been delivering the grants for some weeks and backdating them to 28 September, yet we're not seeing the same level of action being taken to support those people that need it the most in Wales, and this may risk them ending their isolation too soon in order to pay their bills. Therefore, can you tell us why people on low incomes across Wales have not yet received their self-isolation payments? Can you also update us on the latest discussions you have had with local authorities in Wales about delivering those grants? And can you give us a realistic time frame now for when people in Wales will actually receive their self-isolation grant?