There is much to welcome in this report and I'd like to thank the committee and its members, led by my colleague Paul Davies, for their work on producing this fantastic report.

As the report points out, there were fearful predictions of mass unemployment during the pandemic, but, thanks to the UK Government's furlough scheme, mass unemployment was avoided in Wales due to the UK Government. I am pleased also that the Minister has accepted recommendations in the report, yet there are still tough times ahead for our hospitality, tourism and retail sector, especially in Brecon and Radnorshire, which relies on this an awful lot.

We are in the midst of global difficulties and the long shadow of COVID is still upon us, but I do think there are two big things that the Welsh Government could do to help Welsh businesses. On reading the report, it was very clear that the tourism levy discussed by the Welsh Government was a big concern for industry bodies and professionals. So, one thing the Welsh Government could do is to ditch the tourism tax and any other anti-business measures aimed at the tourism sector. Our tourism businesses bring in huge amounts of money into Wales, with one in seven jobs that rely on that industry. So, I'd urge the Welsh Government to stop assaulting hard-working people up and down the country who seek to make Wales an attractive destination with their hotels, B&Bs and cottages. 

Business rates were also raised in the report. And a lot of people say that they are very regressive in Wales and that things could be done differently here to attract business and help business. So, you could lower business rates in Wales. Labour-run, here in Wales, has the highest business rates in the whole of Great Britain. This does make us less competitive. Tax burdens on businesses are too high and Welsh businesses should be able to keep more of their own money to spend on wages and business improvement. [Interruption.] I'm sure Alun Davies will like this point; he's chuntering away there. But I do understand and I do recognise that the Welsh Government do not have all the levers to help people in Wales. And I was very disappointed with the UK Government's reversal on freezing alcohol duty. That was going to save the hospitality and pub industry £300 million. And I think at a time when our pubs are closing—40 are closing a month in England and Wales—that the UK Government should do more to protect our pub industry. And I would like to hear what the Minister is doing in discussions with the UK Government to actually save our pubs, because they are the life blood of our community.

Hospitality and tourism businesses really do need a friend, and they do need a leg-up from this Welsh Labour Government and the UK Conservative Government. They don't need to be undermined at a time when they face the possibility of going out of business. So, I'd like to welcome the report and thank you for all the work the committee has done, and I'd be grateful to hear the Minister's response.