National Assembly for Wales

Whilst this is a non-devolved matter, the following GOV.UK guidance note contains the following guidance:

‘While on furlough, the employee’s wage will be subject to usual income tax and other deductions.’

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

The guidance also clearly states ‘All employers remain liable for associated Employer National Insurance contributions and minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions on behalf of their furloughed employees.'

On 27 March we agreed a package of support worth £24 million for the third sector. The Welsh Government Third Sector Covid-19 Response Fund will support the third sector through the coronavirus outbreak. There will be further announcements over the next few days as funding schemes are opened to applications from the sector.

The press announcement can be found at:  https://gov.wales/multi-million-pound-boost-to-support-volunteers-and-wales-most-vulnerable.

Help and support for third sector organisations and community groups can be accessed through the Welsh Government website at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-the-third-sector-html, from the WCVA’s website at: https://wcva.cymru/ or more locally from Third Sector

Support Wales’ members, a list of which can be found at: https://thirdsectorsupport.wales/contact/ and funding advice is available on the Funding Wales online portal which can be accessed at: https://funding.cymru/.

The current guidance from Public Health Wales states everyone should stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. You should only leave the house for one of four reasons:

1. Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
2. One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household
3. Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
4. Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home

If you leave home you should stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

In most cases, angling would require non-essential travel and lengthy periods out of the house in areas accessible to others. Therefore, while these restrictions are in place, people should not go angling. More detailed advice can be found on the Public Health Wales website:

https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/

We published Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from coronavirus and who live in Wales, on the Welsh Government website on 24 March. Please see:

guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-people-defined-on-medical-grounds-as-extremely-vulnerable-from-coronavirus-covid-19-

Guidance was published by the Welsh Government on 20 March.

https://gov.wales/written-statement-eligibility-ongoing-provision-children-who-are-vulnerable-or-whose-parents-are

The guidance identifies those people involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods as critical to the COVID-19 response. However, every child who can be safely cared for at home should be and only where there is no safe alternative should provision be made in schools or other settings

We have been clear on our expectation that local authorities should reflect that guidance in their provision, recognising it would take a short time to adjust the contingency plans they had put in place.

It is very likely that local authorities planned arrangements will evolve as they respond to the new guidance and update the plans they put in place as an initial contingency. We will of course continue to work very closely with them on that.

The uncertainties arising from the unprecedented circumstances we are in is difficult for most of us and are particularly challenging for children and young people with additional learning needs, their families, and those who support and care for them.  We are committed to doing everything possible to support these learners, parents and carers during this difficult time.

We are currently updating our Frequently Asked Questions on a daily basis.  This includes information on support for vulnerable learners in the home if they cannot access school.

During this period of school closures, our aim is to minimise the impact on learning, learners’ progress and wellbeing. 

We are working with our stakeholders to develop our actions to:

• ensure leaders and practitioners can support the wellbeing of learners and each other through the use of technology;
• support Head Teachers and practitioners to deliver effective learning and support services to children and young people;
• give learners and families guidance and support around learning at home; and
• support learners to access the appropriate technology for learning, relevant, high quality resources, and purposeful learning activities and experiences online.
• we will be providing details of the approach to continuing learning later this week.

We will take every step to ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in this period because of where they live, their age, their language, additional learning needs or any other demographic factors.

With regard to provision for speech, language and communication, we recognise that Flying Start Speech Language and Communication (SLC) support will not be able to be provided in its current form. We are encouraging a practical and flexible approach and that wherever possible services are provided remotely.

Services are currently evaluating how to provide essential SLC support in ways that meet the Public Health Wales guidance. These include remote and video consultations, online advice and minimising risk for children and families and staff where a face to face intervention is clinically essential. Services will contact families to make arrangements where necessary.

The Welsh Government are also in the process of developing specific advice and guidance for Allied Health Professionals (AHP) that should be available this week.  Guidance and support to AHPs and AHP support workers during this time can be found here: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/updates/2020/how-we-will-continue-to-regulate-in-light-of-novel-coronavirus/  There is also additional advice on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Advice Hub https://www.hcpc-uk.org/covid-19/.

The uncertainties arising from the unprecedented circumstances we are in is difficult for most of us and are particularly challenging for children and young people with additional learning needs, their families, and those who support and care for them.  We are committed to doing everything possible to support these learners, parents and carers during this difficult time.

We are currently updating our Frequently Asked Questions on a daily basis.  This includes information on support for vulnerable learners in the home if they cannot access school.

During this period of school closures, our aim is to minimise the impact on learning, learners’ progress and wellbeing. 

We are working with our stakeholders to develop our actions to:

• ensure leaders and practitioners can support the wellbeing of learners and each other through the use of technology;
• support Head Teachers and practitioners to deliver effective learning and support services to children and young people;
• give learners and families guidance and support around learning at home; and
• support learners to access the appropriate technology for learning, relevant, high quality resources, and purposeful learning activities and experiences online.
• we will be providing details of the approach to continuing learning later this week.

We will take every step to ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in this period because of where they live, their age, their language, additional learning needs or any other demographic factors.

With regard to provision for speech, language and communication, we recognise that Flying Start Speech Language and Communication (SLC) support will not be able to be provided in its current form. We are encouraging a practical and flexible approach and that wherever possible services are provided remotely.

Services are currently evaluating how to provide essential SLC support in ways that meet the Public Health Wales guidance. These include remote and video consultations, online advice and minimising risk for children and families and staff where a face to face intervention is clinically essential. Services will contact families to make arrangements where necessary.

The Welsh Government are also in the process of developing specific advice and guidance for Allied Health Professionals (AHP) that should be available this week.  Guidance and support to AHPs and AHP support workers during this time can be found here: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/updates/2020/how-we-will-continue-to-regulate-in-light-of-novel-coronavirus/  There is also additional advice on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Advice Hub https://www.hcpc-uk.org/covid-19/.

The Welsh Government has been in regular contact with the UK Government about all aspects of the efforts to mitigate the impacts of the Coronavirus.  

We are working with local authorities to consider what support they can offer during this difficult time to ease the financial strains being faced by people and businesses across Wales.  Anyone experiencing difficulty in paying their council tax bill should check whether they might be eligible for a discount, exemption or reduction and contact their local authority.  Our website provides information on the range of support available: https://gov.wales/pay-less-council-tax

On 25 March 2020, I announced a single emergency funding stream for local authorities to meet the pressures arising from the pandemic.  This is being supported by an initial £30 million of additional funding.

I will write to you as soon as possible and a copy of my letter will be placed on the internet.

The Welsh Government announced on 27 March that it will be offering similar support to those identified as extremely vulnerable people in Wales, working in close collaboration with local authorities, food distributors, community pharmacies and the third sector.

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has written with full advice to those people, i.e. those who are classed as extremely vulnerable because they have a very high risk of developing a severe illness if exposed to coronavirus due to a serious pre-existing health issue.  Guidance is also published on the Welsh Government website https://gov.wales/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-people-defined-on-medical-grounds-as-extremely-vulnerable-from-coronavirus-covid-19

I will write to you as soon as possible and a copy of my letter will be published on the internet.

I will write to you as soon as possible and a copy of my letter will be published on the internet.

The mental health and well-being of farmers and those living and working in our rural communities continues to be a priority for Welsh Government.  Periods of uncertainty can have a detrimental impact on mental well-being.

In response to the exceptional dry weather in 2018, I made available £500,000 to three rural charities, which operate across all of Wales, to address the acute financial issues and knock on effect on mental health some farmers faced.

In 2019, I provided a grant of £47,000 to the DPJ Foundation to extend its existing 1-2-1 counselling into North Wales ensuring the service is available pan Wales.  The funding is also supporting free Mental Health First Aid training to vets and feed firm reps to enable them to signpost farmers to the best source of support.

Also in 2019 I provided funding to print 10,000 copies of the Men’s Health Forum  Fit for Farming booklet  which has been developed specifically for the agriculture sector.  The booklet is a comprehensive guide to many health related topics such as welling, accidents and mental health.  The booklet has been distributed to farmers and stakeholders throughout Wales.

Funding from the EU Transition Fund, has been used to ascertain the impact of Brexit on the health and well-being of rural farming communities in Wales.  Public Health Wales led on this work and the report was published in September 2019.  The report is based on a review of approaches to support farmers’ mental health and wellbeing, along with engagement with farmers and organisations linked to agricultural to test out ideas from the review.

This work has resulted in the development of ‘FarmWell Wales’- a resource hub focusing on personal and business resilience for farmers and their families. In light of the escalation of the control measures related to Covid-19 and some in our rural communities becoming isolated I have brought forward the launch of FarmWell Wales.  A hard copy directory, developed in parallel with the online resource hub is being posted to all Single Application Form claimants, around 16,500 farm business across Wales.

FarmWell Wales has been created through a joint collaboration between rural support charities including the Farming Community Network (FCN), the DPJ Foundation, Tir Dewi, The Addington Fund, Mind Cymru, Mind Monmouthshire, and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I).

During these unprecedented times my officials are in regular contact with the Group to ensure we continue to work together to support the industry and rural communities.

We are taking steps to ensure all farm visits necessary to safeguard animal health and welfare are able to continue. This means vets will continue to visit farms where there are suspected cases of notifiable disease or reported cases of animal welfare concerns.

Welsh Government is currently reviewing TB testing arrangements. All TB tests that were started this week should be completed, provided doing so puts neither farm nor veterinary staff at risk. However, we are asking vets not to start any new TB tests until they receive instructions to do so from the Animal & Plant Health Agency.

Further guidance is being drafted regarding how testing will be conducted moving forward. All protocols will be kept under review by Welsh Government and the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency, so that we manage any impacts on Wales’ vital veterinary workforce.

The Welsh Government is in regular contact with the Livestock Auctioneers Association and market operators and I am grateful for their positive response to the unparalleled situation as they continue to operate, in line with the current restrictions. At present there are no welfare concerns. Officials will continue to work closely with market operators to monitor the situation.

I will consider how we pay Basic Payment Scheme 2020, including advances and loans, once the impact of the measures to tackle the COVID 19 pandemic are fully understood.

The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is now UK funded and enshrined in domestic legislation, therefore we cannot approach the European Commission if we wish to deviate from the EC Regulations.  However, we must remain mindful the Withdrawal Agreement stipulates we must operate an equivalent scheme in 2020.

I intend consulting the farming industry later this year on proposals to simplify BPS in 2021.

The Minister is monitoring the situation closely and has weekly calls with the Defra Secretary of State, retailer CEOs and Devolved Administration Ministers to ensure that there is a co-ordinated response to any potential issues relating to food supply.

Retailers have robust contingency measures in place for ensuring that all stores are stocked with food supplies and continue to provide reassurance to the Welsh Government in respect of this. The retailers are working with their supply-chains to ensure stocks are replenished quickly.  We recognise the huge effort business and people working in food retailers and their supply-chains are making and thank them for their efforts at this most difficult time.

I will write to you as soon as possible and a copy of my letter will be published on the internet.

I will write to you as soon as possible and a copy of my letter will be published on the internet.

I will write to you as soon as possible and a copy of my letter will be published on the internet.

Provisions in the Coronavirus Bill reduce the risk of businesses facing eviction if they are unable to meet upcoming rental payments because of liquidity and cashflow issues as a result of the current situation.  These provisions allay immediate concerns for business tenants in relation to the payment of rent. The current protection extends to June, but given the uncertainty around the time period during which the virus will impact upon the economy, there might well be a need for this period to be further extended for businesses which have potential to survive.  This timeframe will need to be reviewed and extended by regulations, as appropriate.