, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the comments. The Minister for Social Justice is leading on this as a policy area of work, and my officials will be working alongside hers in doing so. I think it's worth pointing out that we're interested in a variety of different forms of more…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Our officials continue to work together on all matters, including this subject. Where employers have viable proposals for a shorter working week, we will consider what we can do to assist them through our business support and advisory services.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
When it comes to both UBI and the four-day working week—and, of course, Jack Sargeant has a question on four-day working week trials coming up later today—we are interested in what is happening. We have nothing to lose from reviewing the evidence in other…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
The Member has highlighted the point that wages have been falling in real terms, and that's a point that, of course, Jayne Bryant highlighted in the first question today—that real wages have fallen. The figures out in the last few days are of real concern. It…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I think there were three particular questions there. On the first part, I simply don't agree with the Member's view around COVID passes and their impact. They're a measure that has helped us to keep sectors open where we would otherwise have had to introduce…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
When it comes to a future strategy, we are looking at what could take place in a range of different sectors. So, we're looking at a retail strategy, and we're looking at the strategy—to revisit it—for the visitor economy. That in itself will make a difference…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
As a result of the protective measures, we know that a number of business sectors were not able to trade. And, of course, we required some businesses to close, as well as requiring other parts of hospitality that were open to operate in a different way…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Yes, I'll happily do so. Across the Government, Ministers are interested in the future of procurement, and how we have a properly searching test on the price but also, more importantly I think, on the value of what we are procuring as well, and on the impact…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I think every business sector is looking to gain the greatest amount possible to support their business, and you understand exactly why they would do. When you think about the support that we've provided through the economic resilience fund, through the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
I certainly will. Actually, it's been interesting—a recently published survey from the Cardiff Business School showed that 85 per cent of businesses who responded agreed that the support from the first two phases of the Welsh Government's economic resilience…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. We have made unprecedented levels of funding available to support Welsh businesses through the pandemic, including through the unique, Wales-only economic resilience fund. The latest package of emergency support—just from ER—will…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you. I agree with you—the challenges of the rise in energy costs, with further rises to come, are a really significant factor in the impact on pretty much all other commodities and goods as well, so, food, and then the national insurance rise on top…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Well, yet again, another Conservative politician who wants to divest the Conservative Government of any responsibility for the UK-wide cost-of-living crisis. The near 30-year high in inflation figures are not matters that rest with the Welsh Government. You'd…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Yes, thank you. I certainly can give you that assurance. I worry a great deal about my own constituents, as indeed I know Members in constituencies and regions will do as well, in particular due to the stark warning from the Resolution Foundation of a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Economy
Thank you for the question. Our economic mission, alongside our upcoming employability strategy, sets out our policies to increase skills, productivity and earnings to help boost living standards here in Wales. Many of the key levers, of course, and…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
With respect, I wasn't trying to say that there's been an assessed impact that shows that the COVID pass was positive. I was trying to make the point that my impression has been positive; there's anecdotal evidence about that. But equally, you can't disprove…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
I hope it's not about his misery of being a Cardiff City fan. [Laughter.]
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
Well, no. The challenge is that the pass meant that some people were more likely to go out than before, so actually, trying to balance up those people who attended because they had a pass, because they could have confidence about their status and others…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
I think part of the challenge is we may be looking at trying to prove a negative. We introduced COVID passes to try to help manage the risks when we knew that circulation rates were pretty high with delta previously. It's worth reminding ourselves that delta…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
I think it's fair to point out that there have been different measures in place—that's a matter of fact. What we don't know yet, though, are visitor numbers and engagement numbers from customers, because, as we say, there's been lots of behaviour change…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
I'm not saying you did. The point I'm really making is about rebuilding public confidence. To want to come back to use the sector is a different challenge and isn't really necessarily a budgetary one.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
I think if I just deal with the point about comparability, if you reflect on the fact that we're going to put £5 million into the sector anyway, that does compare much more favourably with what was happening across the border, and actually there's been a lot…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
So, it might be helpful if Jason can tell you objectively how that support compares with the support on offer across the border and others, because we often get the comparability where other people do work over this period of time as well, and the border with…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
Could I deal with the overarching point and then perhaps Dawn and Jason between them can take you through some of how we then assess that? So, the honest truth is that if furlough and the self-employment income support scheme had been in place, then people in…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Scrutiny of Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23: Culture, Communications and Sport
My name is Vaughan Gething. I'm the Minister for Economy.
