With some small businesses in North Wales being forced to close because members of staff are required to self-isolate, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Government to provide them with financial support during these difficult periods.  

In the Senedd this week, Darren said he has been contacted by tourism and hospitality businesses in the constituency who are being negatively impacted by the self-isolation requirement and asked what consideration Ministers have given to supporting businesses in this position.

He said:  

“One of the concerns that have been raised with me by tourism and hospitality businesses in North Wales has been the lack of financial support for those businesses whose staff are required to self-isolate.

“For example, I had a pub in my own constituency recently where one member of staff tested positive for the coronavirus and, as a result, all of the members of staff then had a contact message to say that they needed to self-isolate. That meant that that business had to then close for the duration of the self-isolation period and had no income as it had to cancel all of its bookings, yet there is no financial support available for businesses in those circumstances.

“What consideration will the Welsh Government give to creating some sort of safety net for businesses that are in that position, particularly those small businesses like tourism operators and hospitality businesses in my constituency that have been affected in this way?”

The Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, who was standing in for the First Minister, said North Wales businesses have “received a significant amount of funding, particularly from the unique-to-Wales economic resilience fund” adding, “I'm not aware of any discussions that the Minister for Economy is having in relation to that, but I'm sure he's in the Chamber to hear your comments.”

Speaking afterwards Darren added:

“These businesses should not be penalised for doing what it required of them. They are desperately trying to get back on their feet following the most challenging 16 months they have ever faced. They are not out of the woods yet and need to be supported financially in these circumstances.”