4. Statement by the First Minister: Review of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) Regulations 2020

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:27 pm on 19 May 2021.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 3:27, 19 May 2021

Llywydd, it's very good to be able to respond to a question from a new Member, and someone who we've worked very closely with in the Welsh Government for many years, and successfully as well. I'm not recognising the picture that is emerging from the Conservative benches of help not being available to businesses. This Government has provided the most generous package of support for businesses anywhere in the United Kingdom. That is a deliberate decision by this Government in recognition of the torrid time that businesses in Wales have had. It has been an economic crisis as well as a clinical crisis. That's why we've taken the steps we have, and there'll be no reason at all for us not to wish to continue to do exactly that. As I've said, the nature of that help will now need to be calibrated with the new circumstances, where far more businesses are beginning to reopen, and where economic conditions mean that they will be able to do what I know they want to do, which is not to rely on the next grant from the Welsh Government, but to earn the living and the success of the business that they've often invested so much in, and we will go on supporting them to do just that.