1. Statement by the First Minister: Update on COVID-19

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:28 pm on 22 December 2021.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 2:28, 22 December 2021

Llywydd, in relation to the timeliness of business support, our aim is to use some of the mechanisms we used earlier in the pandemic. So, these will be payments that will go direct to businesses without the need for a complex application process, although there will be a separate sum of money where application can be made for people whose circumstances are beyond what the reliance on local authorities' ability to simply send grant aid out would cover. So, the economy Minister will set out those timings tomorrow, and I hope that that will give some confidence to businesses that, as rapidly as we are able to, the money will leave us and be with them.

I heard what the Member said in relation to the working from home regulations, but I don't think I heard anything I hadn't heard earlier, Llywydd, and, in the interests of speed and other Members, I've got nothing further to add on that matter.