2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:38 pm on 3 November 2020.

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Photo of Laura Anne Jones Laura Anne Jones Conservative 2:38, 3 November 2020

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.