Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 1:52 pm on 7 July 2021.
Thank you, Minister, and I'd hope, of course, that conversations continue with the night-time industry so that they can gain some clarity as we go forward. If I could move on to the job retention scheme, of course the Minister again will be aware that we've had several discussions outside this Chamber on this subject. The UK Government has begun the gradual process of winding up the retention scheme. As of 1 July, the Government will drop its contribution to furloughed workers' salaries from 80 per cent to 70 per cent, and from 1 August it will pay 60 per cent of a furloughed employee's wage, leaving employers to pick up the missing 10 per cent for the first time—a decision with significant consequences for thousands of Welsh firms across Wales. While young people made up the majority of workers initially placed on furlough, the reopening of shops, bars and restaurants has allowed many under-25s to return to work or find new jobs in those sectors in recent months, but many workers and businesses are still struggling. Older employees could face an increased risk, given that around half of those still on furlough are 45 or over, according to the Resolution Foundation, which has said in its annual living standards audit for 2021, that this pattern of younger workers more swiftly returning from furlough has resulted in older workers on full furlough bearing the highest risk of having been out of work for long time periods. It's estimated that as many as one in four staff who are still reliant on the scheme are aged 55 to 64. What analysis has the Welsh Government made of the demographic breakdown of people in Wales who remain on furlough, and does the Minister share the concerns of the Resolution Foundation that it is older employees who could face higher levels of unemployment with the end of the furlough scheme approaching?