The next item is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make the statement—Rebecca Evans.

Thank you, Llywydd. I have multiple changes to report to today's agenda. Added to this afternoon's agenda are statements on public health protection measures post firebreak, strategic assistance for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the future of rail—details of the new arrangements—and the innovative housing programme year 4—modern methods of construction/modular special.

Postponed until 17 November are the statement on the economic recovery plan, the legislative consent motion on the Non-Domestic Ratings (Public Lavatories) Bill and the statutory instrument consent memorandum on the European Union Withdrawal (Consequential Modifications) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and the debate on the second annual report of the president of Welsh Tribunals. The debate on the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 19) Regulations 2020 and the oral statement on homelessness have been withdrawn. Finally, the statement on an update on developments in the UK's trade policy will issue as a written statement.

Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Darren Millar. [Inaudible.] Oh, still not hearing you, Darren Millar. 

Can you hear me now?

Yes, we can, yes. Carry on. 

Thank you, Llywydd. Can I call for two statements from the Welsh Government please, business Minister? The first is in relation to the recent Natural Resources Wales report into their response to flooding last year. You'll know that the report identified some significant shortcomings in the Natural Resources Wales response to the floods that were caused by storms Ciara, Dennis and George. And there were many in my constituency that were affected by some of those shortcomings, unfortunately. Many people will recall that there's a community in Llanfair Talhaiarn that suffered flooding twice in as many years and, unfortunately, had not seen significant improvements in its flood defences, even though they were promised back in 2012. So, I think it is important that we have an update from the Minister responsible for the environment on what action she is now going to take to make sure that Natural Resources Wales are able to step up to the mark on behalf of those communities that felt the brunt of those shortcomings, and, unfortunately, suffered significant losses and interruption to their lives because of the flooding that took place. 

Can I also call for a statement from the Minister responsible for transport in relation to safe cycling? There have been a number of incidents in the past few months in my own constituency of individuals being hit by cyclists, sometimes using electric-powered bikes, but often cyclists under their own power and speed, on the coastal path in particular, on the promenade in Colwyn Bay, and indeed, here in Kinmel Bay, in the community in which I live. Clearly, it's not acceptable for people to be going too fast in areas that are shared with pedestrians, and this is a matter that must be given better attention, I think, in the future. 

So, can I ask for a statement on both of those things, so that we can avoid unnecessary injury in future to individuals who've been hit by cyclists? Thank you. 

Thank you to Darren Millar for raising both of those issues this afternoon. As you were speaking, I was just looking ahead through the future business of the Senedd, and I don't see any obvious opportunities for those to be addressed, so I will make sure that I draw the request for both of those statements—the first being on the significant flood damage and the NRW report that followed that, and the second on safe cycling—with the relevant Ministers for them to consider how best to address those concerns.FootnoteLink

Information further to Plenary

Can I have a statement about the new isolation payment of £500? I know the question was asked earlier on, but it was dismissed by the First Minister. I want to know whether a chunk of it will be clawed back by Westminster in the form of tax, national insurance and deductions for universal credit purposes, just as the £500 carers bonus was. We need information about this payment to be better communicated than the carers bonus situation was, because that has plunged many people into a very difficult situation, where they've spent the money that they received from the bonus, and then subsequently had the money taken from them in universal credit. 

I'd also like to know why this isolation payment was only backdated for one week to 23 October, despite being announced in September, when people in England have been able to access this payment since the end of September. So why are people losing out in Wales?

Thank you to Leanne Wood for raising the issues of the £500 payment to people who are required to self-isolate. As colleagues will be aware from the statement that the First Minister made a few days ago on this particular issue, there are some final details that are being concluded. And I'll be sure that a statement or a letter is sent to all colleagues with the very latest, once those final details have been clarified, in order, as much as anything, that we can best advise our constituents as to how to go about accessing that payment, should they be eligible for it. So, I'll be sure that those details are shared with colleagues as soon as they're finalised.

I wonder if I can ask for one statement, Minister. I'd like to ask for a Welsh Government statement to give clarity on both the legality and the morality of employers using workers' return to work after days away from work due to isolation as an automatic trigger for disciplinary measures on sickness absence, and also employers who refuse to acknowledge a phone call from test and trace to an individual as a valid reason to isolate because there is no written trail or confirmatory e-mail or text when a phone call has been made. Even when there is a text confirming the person has been in contact with someone who's tested and needs to go into isolation, the employer refuses to accept this and demands more proof, which simply cannot be obtained. And a statement, Minister, could also clarify the clear financial and other penalties for employers—the few employers, the few poor employers—who try to bully people back into work when they should be in isolation or, indeed, are symptomatic. So, I'd welcome a statement on this, although I know Welsh Government has made this clear before.

I agree with Huw Irranca-Davies that the majority of staff—the majority of employers—really want to look after their staff. But there are a number—a small number—of employers who just aren't doing what they need to do in order to keep their staff safe, and, as a result, the rest of society safe. So, that's why the Welsh Government is strengthening the coronavirus regulations by imposing a legal requirement for people to self-isolate if told to do so by the NHS Wales test, trace, protect service. But, alongside that, there will be a duty placed on employers to ensure that they can't prevent an employee from following the NHS Wales test, trace, protect advice to self-isolate, for example. And of course, this goes in and ties in then to the issue that Leanne Wood has just raised about the financial support that we're able to offer people who are eligible in order to help them self-isolate as well. So, it comes as a package of support—the financial support, but, alongside that, the important duties upon individuals and employers.

Business Minister, on the back of something my leader's already touched on today, and on the fact that I've been inundated with e-mails and calls since last Thursday, I'm just asking you, and begging the Government, to please bring forward the statement that they were meant to do today on the economic recovery plan. It's absolutely vital that businesses know what they're doing in the course of this pandemic. Obviously, they're struggling and very stressed out at the moment, and many businesses are worried that they'll have to close. I've been contacted by one—well, by numerous businesses, but one in particular is a hotel in Usk. And they spent weeks on applying for phase 3 of the economic resilience fund, and then, within 24 hours, it was closed, even after lots and lots of work on it, and then new advice, which they had to adhere to and adapt their forms for, coming out the same time it was opened on the Wednesday. So, obviously, that took time, and then, by the time they'd finished that, it was closed. It's just not good enough, Minister.

I know there's a small pot of money, and the First Minister today said he's waiting on the UK to provide more money. But the Government has billions of pounds left to spend. This money is obviously needed by a lot of businesses, and, within that statement, the Government need to outline how they're going to put more money in the pot and open it back up, and when they're going to open it back up. It's just not good enough, business Minister. It needs to be brought forward—17 November, businesses cannot wait that long. Their e-mails are not being answered by Business Wales, businesses do not know what to do. So, I am praying on you, Rebecca, to please see what you can do with this. Thank you.

Welsh Government has had some discussions with the UK Government and Treasury over the past few days, and I do hope that in the coming days I will have more information from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in terms of any additional consequentials that might be coming forward to the Welsh Government as a result of the recent changes across the border in England. And, of course, if we are able to say more on that we will, and we do have the economic recovery plan statement, which, unfortunately, has had to be postponed, but that will be brought forward.

Just for a point of clarity, we don't have billions of pounds that we haven't allocated. Unfortunately, the reserve is much smaller than that, but, as I say, we're keen to keep supporting businesses as well as we can. And, of course, the First Minister has made the point that businesses in Wales do have access to the most generous package of support. Now, I appreciate we haven't managed to get every business, and we're not going to be able to support every business, but I think that it does need to be recognised that we have gone above and beyond what's available elsewhere to try and support as many businesses as we possibly can.  

I would like to add my voice to some of what's been said, because I'd also like to call for a statement urgently from the Minister for the economy that's going to update business owners on this, Trefnydd, and how the Welsh Government intends to provide interim support for those companies that were relying on the ERF phase 3 funds. Now, I know that this is something that's been raised a number of times already in the virtual Chamber today, but I make no apology for adding my voice to this, because there were so many companies who had been working hard on the complicated application process only to be told that the funds were frozen within less than 48 hours of those applications opening.

I've received many angry and upset e-mails—I'm sure that other Members will have done so as well—from people who haven't received any support so far from Government schemes and who, as I said, had worked so hard on these applications for the phase 3 business development grant: they were chasing quotes, they were working though all of the complicated paperwork, they were being very diligent with it. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that they were left dumbfounded by the news that the applications closed so early. One business owner in my region also pointed out to me that Business Wales advice had earlier said that the applications would remain open until 25 November or until all the funds had been committed. Many valid claims won't now be considered on their merits because of an arbitrary cap that's been reached, and it's just not good enough, and I'd add my voice to that. I know what—

You are going to need to draw this question to a close.  

Okay, Llywydd. I know that the First Minister said earlier that he needed clarity about the Barnett consequentials on this, but I would welcome further clarity on what he meant, because this seems to be a formula for funds that's already provided. So, I'd like that statement, please, from the Minister urgently, because these businesses do deserve better. 

Well, the same case has been made by several colleagues now this afternoon in terms of recognising just the sheer level of need that there is out there in terms of businesses requiring support, and we're very, very alive to that and wanting to support as many businesses as we possibly can. Obviously, the economy Minister will have heard your comments, the comments of Laura Anne Jones and those comments that have been made during the course of First Minister's questions as well, as he considers what further support might be available for businesses and, clearly, as soon as he is able to say more, I know that he would want to do that. 

Trefnydd, I would like to ask for a statement from the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding the ongoing situation at Henllys flats in Swansea. Following the flooding issues, some residents have had to be put up in temporary accommodation and those who remain in their properties have been informed that the lifts will be out of action for at least a couple of weeks, and this is severely impacting many disabled residents, particularly those on the fifth floor, amputees included, as well as adversely affecting their mental health. They are unable to leave their properties unaided, and one resident had to rely on the fire and rescue service to get to the ground floor. Residents have told me they're unable to get deliveries beyond the second floor from supermarkets. Coastal Housing have told disabled residents that they can request a move, but, as one lady informed me, she's been on the waiting list for this for five years, for a move from the fifth floor to the ground floor. Trefnydd, I'm sure you'll agree with me that this is unacceptable, and I hope that the Minister for housing will intervene and inform this Senedd of the actions the Welsh Government will take to ensure situations like this do not occur in future. Diolch yn fawr.

Thank you. Clearly, the situation you describe is a very distressing one for the residents concerned. Could I suggest, as the best way forward in the first instance, you write to the Minister for housing in order for her to be able to consider the case that you've just made?

I call for an urgent Welsh Government statement on COVID-19 restrictions on visits to care homes in Wales. As one constituent wrote,

'Our mother has only resided at the nursing home since February. Visits stopped completely during the first wave of the pandemic, and resumed with outdoor visits in mid August. However, all visits stopped again on 1 October. The restrictions on visiting at this moment are detrimental to Mum's health and well-being and an infringement of her civil liberties and rights. I hope you will urge the Welsh Government to advise that, where visits for residents in care homes can be made safely, they should be reinstated as soon as possible.'

As the daughter of another care home resident wrote,

'I beg you to speak up for my beautiful mother who's at the late stage of dementia and her mental and physical health are deteriorating rapidly due to not being able to have her family around her. There are many things that could be put in place to allow visits to be able to happen. Please help us before it's too late and the majority of these helpless old people die of broken hearts and loneliness.'

I call for an urgent statement accordingly.

Thank you to Mark Isherwood for raising those issues on behalf of his constituents, and, obviously, it's a tremendously difficult time for those and others who have loved ones in care homes who they're not able to see as they would wish. I do recall that the First Minister answered some quite detailed questions on this very recently to the Senedd, and I will speak to my colleague the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services in order to provide an update on the latest work that is going on to ensure that we're best able to support people who are in care homes, but also recognising that the needs are not just around protecting people from COVID-19, but also about promoting their mental health and well-being and ensuring that they keep those family ties alive. So, I will, as I say, speak to the Deputy Minister with a view to exploring how best to update colleagues on that.

I think we'd all be grateful to hear the update that you just promised to Mark Isherwood, Trefnydd.

I wonder if I could request a statement from the Minister for the economy, preferably an oral statement but a written one would be okay, I think, to update us on how well the £40 million package promised to the over-16s needing assistance to find work, training or education, or to pursue self-employment, is going. We already have the highest proportion amongst the UK nations of young people not engaged in any of that, and, as we've all heard previously, youth unemployment is likely to rise further. So, as it's been three months since the announcement was made, I think it would be helpful, actually, if the Minister would update the Senedd on where we are with the retention and recruitment of 5,000 apprentices, whether graduates are getting work experience, and what kind of employer is coming forward to apply for the incentives that were expressed in the statement when it was made. And, in particular, if such a statement could be brought forward, it needs to be made clear whether the cash is being allocated on a first come, first served basis, as we've just been speaking in this session about the difficulties that have beset the third round of the ERF. We certainly don't want that happening to this £40 million package. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, that £40 million package was a really important part of our response to the coronavirus pandemic in terms of the economic crisis. And, as well as looking to support particularly young people, who we know have been very hard hit, into employment, it also seeks to support people who are members of the black, Asian and minority ethnic community, people who are already on low wages, for example, and people who have low levels of skills, to ensure that they don't miss opportunities to enter employment at this point. So, again, I'll be sure that the Minister, who I'm sure is listening anyway, is aware of your request for that particular statement and the kind of detail that you're particularly interested in.

Finally, Nick Ramsay.

Diolch, Llywydd. Trefnydd, the Welsh Government has announced that up to 15 people will be able to take part in indoor organised events, including sport, from next Monday. I've received a number of e-mails from parents who are concerned that this may prohibit their children from accessing gymnastics clubs, as the clubs won't be able to operate with such a low number and could end up going out of business. I wonder if we could have an update from the Minister for sport on what support is on offer to gymnastics clubs across Wales at the moment, and whether it's possible to allow these clubs to operate with a higher number of participants to make them viable over this difficult period.

Thank you. The Minister, I can see, is here to hear your request for details on support for gym clubs in particular, but what I will do in the meantime is ensure that any Q&A that is updated with regard to the post-firebreak regime includes details about the number of people who are able to participate in organised indoor settings, and the way in which children in particular will be factored into that number, so that there's clarity for all clubs and organisations who are organising those indoor events. But, of course, we have a statement from the First Minister immediately after the business statement, which looks ahead to the post-firebreak situation, so that might be an opportunity to hear more then.

Thank you, Trefnydd.