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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:04 pm on 22 December 2021.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 3:04, 22 December 2021

Well, Llywydd, we are all frustrated at the latest twist and turn of coronavirus. None of us wanted to be in this position, and it’s only a very short number of weeks ago where, dealing only with delta, we had a reasonably straightforward path for Wales into Christmas and the new year. Unfortunately, omicron is a reality, and it has an impact on many aspects of Welsh life, including the frustrations that I’m sure are absolutely felt amongst the smaller football clubs. I may have got this wrong, Llywydd, but I think what I remember is that the football association has brought forward a gap that was already going to be there, rather than a completely new gap in the programme, but I may have misunderstood that. Our officials continue to be in dialogue with those representative organisations. We can't cover every single eventuality of every single group that is affected by coronavirus, but where we are able to assist, I think we have demonstrated, in the very significant sums of money that we have published already this week, and again today, that we are prepared to use the resources we have to support those sectors that are directly affected by the decisions we are having to take to help to keep people in Wales safe.