Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:53 pm on 26 May 2021.
I appreciate the First Minister wants to use diversionary tactics time and time again, but it is a fact that the comments I put to you were comments from business owners themselves feeling punched in the stomach or stabbed in the back by the Government of the day, which is your Government, First Minister. It is a fact that you have that money unallocated in the budget, and businesses need that money now. They don't need to wait another month, another six weeks. These are businesses themselves talking that they need the money now, because they need to recapitalise after being the longest part of the United Kingdom shut down, because we shut down before other parts of the United Kingdom did.
But the other important area of the economy to get comfort from the Welsh Government and understanding about the rules and regulations is the hospitality sector and the events sector, importantly. And I appreciate this is a very fine balancing act, because we know the Indian variant is taking hold in parts of the United Kingdom and, indeed, here in Wales. But what is the First Minister's view on the regulations that the events sectors in particular will have to deal with going forward, when we know other parts of the United Kingdom have a date of 21 June? I appreciate that date might move, First Minister; I appreciate that date might move. But I note today that the Celtic Manor's manager—[Interruption.]—the Celtic Manor's manager is saying that they are unable to attract businesses into Wales because of the current rules that exist. So, are you able to offer us any view of the way the Welsh Government see things panning out in the late summer and early autumn, with the restrictions that the events sector and the hospitality sector have to operate here in Wales?