7. What steps has the Welsh Government taken to support the Pembrokeshire economy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ56435

Llywydd, over 4,000 businesses in Pembrokeshire have received more than £91 million in grants since the start of the pandemic in order to support that local economy.

Thank you for that response, First Minister. Now, the Welsh Government's announcement on Friday was met with particular frustration from non-essential local businesses in Pembrokeshire, some of whom had planned for potential reopening this week and incurred costs to do so. You previously suggested that businesses selling non-essential products should look to reopen from next Monday, and now that's been put back until 12 April. In light of this change in direction from the Welsh Government, can you confirm exactly what scientific evidence was used to continue to prohibit the reopening of non-essential retail outlets until 12 April, and can you confirm that the Welsh Government will recoup the costs that have been made by businesses, so that, at the very least, those businesses are not further disadvantaged financially as a result of the delay in reopening non-essential retail outlets?

Well, Llywydd, I've taken the precaution of bringing with me what I actually said on 19 February when looking forward to the current three-week review. It's not what Mr Davies has suggested at all. So, let's look at what was actually said. Here it is. I said, 'We will then look'—and I was talking about this three weeks—'at whether'—so, 'whether'—'we can start'—so, 'start'—'to reopen some'—some—'non-essential retail.'

That's what I said. That we would consider whether we could begin to reopen some non-essential retail. And, actually, Llywydd, that is exactly what we have done, and is exactly what we will do, because, from 22 March, those shops that are already open selling essential goods will be able to sell the full range of goods that they would normally have on offer, and that will include all those non-essential items as well. It is safe to do that because those shops are already open. They already comply with the strengthened regulations that we put on the statute book here in Wales in January, to take account of the Kent variant. Other non-essential retailers now know that on 12 April, the same day as in England—remember that four-nation approach that the Conservative Party was keen to advocate—on the same day as in England, all other non-essential retail in Wales will reopen. In the meantime, the sector will be supported by £150 million of additional assistance that I was also able to announce last Friday, to take account of the fact that, of course, those businesses would rather be open. They'd rather be opening, they'd rather be trading than waiting for a grant from the Welsh Government—I completely understand that. And as soon as it is safe to do so, and as soon as they are able to take account of the next few weeks to make themselves safe, then, on 12 April, they will all be able to reopen as well.

And finally, question 8, Laura Jones.