An urgent letter has been sent to the Welsh Government asking for action to help reduce the possibility that Aberconwy and Conwy encounters an economic crisis in light of COVID-19. The letter sent by Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Senedd, highlights findings that as many as 13,000 jobs are at risk here, and that Llandudno is one of the worst affected communities in England and Wales.
She has asked for Ken Skates MS, Minister for Economy, Transport, and North Wales, to:
- undertake a virtual meeting so to discuss a strategy to help Llandudno and Conwy County
- develop an effective commercial support mechanism at a local level to assist businesses plan their recovery strategies
- introduce skills retention and development programmes as soon as practical in the identified worst hit sectors to ensure no loss of capability and the opportunity to upskill the local workforce during a period of enforced inactivity
- provide a programme of financial support that targets the most at-risk sectors, such as further business rate grants, amendments to rate relief policy, and market and seaside town funds
Commenting on the situation, Janet said:
“Llandudno and the Conwy Valley is the beating heart of Wales’s tourism offer.
“The economic benefit to our county is around £900million thanks to as many as 9.5 million visitors.
“Tourists have been stopped in an effort to combat COVID-19. This is the right thing to do to help protect our health, but we cannot forget the impact on the community and economy.
“13,000 jobs are at risk in Conwy, and a new report looking at the effect of the pandemic on our towns and cities in England and Wales has found that Llandudno is particularly affected.
“The report is clear that additional interventions will be required to avoid the initial shock caused by COVID-19 turning into permanent damage, so I am fighting for our area’s future.
“I have issued an urgent letter to Ken Skates MS, Minister for Economy, Transport, and North Wales, asking that he work with me to take a number of steps to help reduce the possibility that Aberconwy and Conwy encounters an economic crisis”.
ENDS
Document:
Letter to the Minister for Economy, Transport, and North Wales
Notes:
