Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:41 pm on 10 February 2021.
Thank you. Now, it has been made clear to me by many in the tourism sector, including in my hoteliers forum this morning, that grants to date by this Welsh Government have 'barely touched the surface'. Their words, not mine. And that they, as business owners, feel demoralised and actually hard done to by your Welsh Government. Now, there are numerous steps you can take to help back our tourism industry now: work with your colleagues and local authorities to see costs, such as parking permits, wedding and drink licences waived; give certainty to businesses by ending the fallacy that the tier system is a natural recovery plan. They need to know now if they can open by Easter, so to start planning staff recruitment, organise supplies and accept bookings.
There are calls for you to address the scandalous fact that Wales Fiscal Analysis has found that there is £655 million of COVID-19 funding from the UK Government waiting to be committed. Let's be under no illusion: this money was intended to support these very businesses, not to sit in Welsh Government coffers. So, what discussions have you held with other Ministers in your Welsh Government to ensure that this money is given to these businesses? And what recovery plans will you put in place so that tourism has clear guidance on reopening? Whilst I reiterate the recovery plan for this sector and clear protocols relevant to the current COVID risk need to be outlined urgently, please clarify now, today, how you will ensure that the remaining £655 million reaches our businesses, and does so before the end of this financial year. Thank you.