The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has reiterated calls for the Welsh Government to establish a targeted Cancellation Compensation Fund for hospitality and tourism businesses in Wales, ahead of the Coronavirus restriction review scheduled for Friday.
Earlier this week, in reply to Janet’s question on the issue, the First Minister assured that the administration “will consider what we might be able to do from our own resources.” Many restaurants, eateries and accommodation businesses are facing rising numbers of cancellations as the country ramps up its efforts to combat the new omicron variant of coronavirus.
The intervention comes as the UK Government has announced that the Welsh Government will receive a further £135 million to progress their vaccine rollout and wider Covid-19 response. This is a confirmed additional amount on top of the funding set out at the Autumn Budget 2021, relating to health pressures and the Covid-19 Additional Relief Funding.
Commenting on hospitality’s cancellation crisis, Janet said:
“As a wave of cancellations continues to bite into the viability of our crucial hospitality and tourism sectors throughout the festive period, which we know can often make up to 25% of their annual turnover, the Welsh Government has the power and the money to ensure our businesses are fully supported via a targeted Cancellation Compensation Fund.
“Given that the Welsh Government were already sitting on £500 million of Covid support and have just received a further funding boost from the UK Government to help progress their vaccine rollout and the wider necessary pandemic response, clarity must be provided to our businesses and entrepreneurs ahead of any restrictions being imposed.
“Throughout the pandemic, too often business support has been left as an afterthought by Ministers in Cardiff Bay. With the First Minister appearing to be receptive to the idea when I questioned him on Tuesday, and consumer behaviour already changing as a result of cautious rhetoric, it is vital that the Welsh Government steps in and save the industry.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS
