2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:50 pm on 1 December 2020.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 2:50, 1 December 2020

Minister, I'd like a statement, please, that will provide some reassurance to my business owners and which justifies how you've taken those decisions to restrict the sale of alcohol and actually close pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality businesses from 6 o'clock on Friday. I want some explanation why, and what evidence you've used to decide that, but also how you're going to fund this terrific loss of business that many of our businesses are going to incur. The economic resilience fund lifeline you are offering is simply not good enough and, according to Business Wales, some payments will not even start to reach businesses until January. So, your Government's actions will see hospitality businesses lose even more money. Businesses have now to make an online application to their respective local authority for the discretionary elements. Like last time, is there a likelihood that this money will run out? Applications are still going to be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis. We saw what happened last time—it crashed after just a day. I've still got people who've not had any funding yet from phase 3, so what confidence can I have that, as a Government, you're going to take some responsibility for these lockdowns that you've forced on our businesses?

Will you please provide a statement on that and how you will ensure that all applications are appraised, whether an appeals process is likely to be made available and, finally, whether commercial galleries that sell art—I have a very good gallery in my constituency that sells art—will have to close? If they do, how is it, therefore, fair that shops can sell art to the public? There are so many questions that we have, Minister, and I think, as finance Minister, you should really be putting some more information out there that we can explain to our businesses, and I'd like it on record that I'm absolutely appalled by the decision made by you, your Government and the First Minister.