The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (26 October) blasted the Welsh Government for the confusion faced by residents and business owners, after guidance was published banning the sale of non-essential items in supermarkets throughout the 17-day national lockdown. Retailers have said that they are in a "difficult position" without a defined list.
This intervention comes in the wake of her statement as the Chair of the Cross Party Group on Small Shops last week, which slammed the announcement of the policy less than thirty-six hours before the ‘firebreak’ period was due to commence. Her office has witnessed a considerable uptick in messages from local residents over the weekend, who all sought to convey their shock and concern at the actions of the Welsh Government.
Commenting, Janet said:
“This calamity of communication continues, as businesses remain none-the-wiser about what items can be sold leading to agitation in shop queues and placing our frontline key workers at risk. As my constituents have made clear, what maybe non-essential to one person could be very essential to another.
“Even some of our nation’s brightest licensing lawyers have now made their concern clear, calling this guidance clumsily written and confusing. Today's announcement, that shops will be given the powers to act with discretion, will only work to further confuse the situation.
“It is as if the Welsh Government has learnt nothing from their earlier mistakes, once again charging forward regardless of the concerns that have been noted by Members of the Welsh Parliament. This latest farce will only work to further erode public trust in this administration.
“Over the weekend, I have received hundreds of emails from worried and angry constituents who are deeply concerned that this confusion will lead to vulnerable residents not having access to the groceries that they so desperately need. I urge the First Minister to listen to my residents and to urgently rethink this brazen over-reach of the state.”
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