National Assembly for Wales

Rhondda Cynon Taf and Natural Resources Wales are looking at a number of flood risk management schemes, locally and across catchments in the area. Welsh Government is providing full grant support for local authorities to bring forward schemes to help better manage flood risk.

On 19 June I indicated that owners of self-contained accommodation should prepare to reopen on 13 July, provided cases of the virus remain under control. In the meantime, over £10 million has been provided to the sector from the economic resilience fund, safeguarding over 4,500 jobs.

The expert group will advise Ministers on a range of environmental matters in the Hinkley context but the assessment of applications to dispose of dredged sediment is a matter for Natural Resources Wales. There will be an update on the expert group once discussions have been concluded with nominated individuals.

The Welsh Government continues to support the economy of the whole of Wales, including businesses in Bridgend, through a number of initiatives, including the economic resilience fund, which opened its second phase on Monday. For the first phase of the economic resilience fund, we are currently processing over 280 applications from Bridgend-based firms, worth over £5 million.

The decision to increase operations in schools from 29 June was guided by an approach based on equality of access, as all learners have a right to education and to be supported in their learning. This phased approach aims to mitigate the negative impacts on learners caused by COVID-19.

I remain committed to a four-nation approach to responding to the coronavirus crisis. I continue to urge the UK Government to establish a regular, reliable rhythm of engagement between the four UK nations in order to promote effective co-ordination.

Looking after our physical and mental well-being is always important, and is especially so during this coronavirus outbreak. Most outdoor sport and recreation facilities are now allowed to open, but there are currently restrictions on team and contact sports.  

We continually assess the potential risks including through the Cabinet Sub-committee on European Transition and Trade. As a result of our initial assessment we have been consistently clear that any deal with the USA must not result in undermining environmental standards and putting our producers and consumers at risk.

I am in regular contact with the Minister of State for Trade Policy, Greg Hands. We, the Department for International Trade and Devolved Administrations Ministers, have also met twice now through the new formal ministerial forum for trade. The third meeting is due to take place imminently.

I am reviewing how we deliver the international strategy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be producing a series of action plans during the autumn. These will set out how we can strengthen our international relationships, including through our priority countries and regions and our work in Africa.

I and my officials are working closely with the Department for International Trade to ensure that the UK Government represents the interests of Welsh businesses and consumers in negotiations. The ministerial forum for trade has met twice and I have regular contact with Greg Hands, the Minister of State for Trade Policy.

As we move into the recovery phase I am considering the role taxes might play in supporting businesses in Wales alongside the other fiscal measures available, both devolved and non‑devolved. 

Our innovative policy approaches are having a positive impact. Wales-based suppliers now win 52 per cent of the annual £6.467 billion procurement expenditure, up from a 2004 baseline of 35 per cent.

Through our ambitious capital plans we are investing in public services infrastructure across all parts of Wales. Investments in South Wales West include £9.7 million to improve the neonatal care unit in Singleton Hospital and the £29 million twenty-first century schools development at Cefn Saeson in Neath Port Talbot.

Nearly all Commission staff have been working from home since the lockdown arrangements came into force at the end of March, with only a limited number of essential staff—security and maintenance—regularly attending site. The delivery of the Commission information and communications technology strategy over the last three years, which has seen the move to Office365 and the replacement of desktop PCs with laptops, has proven to be of significant benefit in supporting remote working. During the period of lockdown we have been surveying staff to understand how we can continue to support them whilst working from home. We will use all of this learning when considering how we might beneficially adapt current working practices for the future, including more opportunities for home and virtual working.