5. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Small businesses and tourism

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:49 pm on 7 July 2021.

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Photo of Hefin David Hefin David Labour 3:49, 7 July 2021

I don't know whether I'm delighted or disappointed that I see from the voting advice from the whips that the Welsh Government is voting in favour of our motion today. I think I'd probably be a bit worried if they changed their minds at the end of the debate. The aim of the debate today is to hear Members' views. I want to try and open this up and hear Members' views on this key issue as we talk about rebuilding and recovering from the pandemic. I'd be interested to hear Members' views from across the Chamber, so I haven't written a closing speech; I'm going to try and summarise the key things that are said through the debate. 

What I'd like to focus on in opening, though, is particularly the role of small businesses in supply chains, and the role that they can play in recovery. I'd like to look at the role and nature of the foundational tourism sector, and particularly some of the less-remembered parts of that. You can imagine where they are, given that I've tabled this debate. I want to thank everyone who signed up to it as well. I'd like to look at the consequences of easing restrictions, which I think is topical given what's happened this week in the UK, and what will happen next week from the Welsh Government when they announce on Wednesday, and the implications of a tourism levy I would like to consider.