The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has highlighted the continued frustration from local businesses over the Welsh Government’s criteria for Coronavirus funding support, further to the announcement that an emergency package of support will cover the operating costs for July and August 2021.
Today’s statement by the Minister for Economy, which was again supplied to the press ahead of discussion in the Senedd, outlined that eligible businesses will be entitled to an additional payment of between £1,000 and £25,000, depending on their size, structure, and circumstance. To qualify, businesses must show their turnover has reduced by more than 60% compared to the corresponding timeline in 2019 or equivalent.
Commenting on local frustrations, Janet said:
“It should go without saying that any support for Welsh businesses is welcome, but it is regrettable that businesses will once again have to project lost income in advance of the summer months due to the fund’s July closure. This was a confusing barrier to access during the last round.
“The proposed mid-July closure of this scheme means that a local business which possibly succumbs to an unfortunate Covid-19 outbreak will be forced to close, possibly without financial assistance, as they had forecast through no fault of their own that they would not encounter the 60% reduced turnover through the summer season.
“As the Minister’s statement envisages this will be the final package of emergency support for those business that are able to trade, urgent clarity will need to be provided to businesses over whether they will be supported if they later find themselves in sudden need for assistance.
“Today’s announcement of a future Business Development and Recovery Fund must also look to address an entrenched concern which is preventing many local hospitality businesses from bouncing back – a staffing shortage. This can be achieved by rightly highlighting the positives of a career in this rewarding sector to our young people and job seekers.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The fund will open to applications from Tuesday 13 July 2021 and will remain open for a 2-week period, closing on Friday 23 July 2021.
- The text of the Minister’s statement can be found here.
