Answers to questions not reached in Plenary
03/03/2021Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
Questions For - Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales
Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government action to support businesses in Cynon Valley?
The Welsh Government continues to provide emergency support for businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our latest restrictions fund has already seen over 4,415 grants paid to businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf, totalling over £14.1 million. We are actively considering the economic position and exploring further options for supporting businesses.
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to help small businesses in South Wales West to recover from the coronavirus pandemic?
Last week, I launched our economic resilience and reconstruction mission, which offers grounded optimism for the future and will help our people, businesses and communities succeed and flourish amid a backdrop of incredibly difficult circumstances. Three hundred and nine business in South Wales West have received £6.8 million via our business development grant, amongst other funds available.
What are the Welsh Government's priorities for expanding routes back into work for those that have lost employment in the past year?
We made a COVID commitment to support people into education, employment or training. We acted swiftly and, in July 2020, invested £40 million in jobs and skills to boost front-line services and programmes, to support individuals at risk of redundancy, or seeking new or alternative employment or skills.
Questions For - Counsel General and Minister for European Transition
Will the Counsel General make a statement on measures taken to smooth the flow of European trade to and from Wales?
We continue to work with the UK Government to ease the pressures on businesses and hauliers trading through Welsh ports. In December, we published a new export action plan setting out the support available to Welsh exporters and we regularly update our Business Wales and Preparing Wales websites.
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government regarding the single issuing authority in light of the UK leaving the EU?
We work closely with the UK Single Issuing Authority and Welsh Government officials are on its governing board. All applications the SIA receives from EU member state vessels to fish in Welsh waters have to be assessed and approved by the Welsh Government before licences can be issued.
Will the Counsel General make a statement on the future of the shellfish industry after leaving the European Union?
The UK Government failed to protect our seafood industry in the deal it negotiated with the EU and it is now in a critical state. We are focusing efforts on immediate support for the sector, as well as what options there are for the sector in the medium and long terms.