Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the financial loss to the manufacturing industry in Wales as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Lord Hart of Tenby
I appreciate the huge impact Covid-19 has had on business owners and employees in the Welsh manufacturing sector and have met with stakeholders across the sector to discuss concerns.
The UK Government has taken prompt and decisive action to support the economy during these difficult times. We have implemented unprecedented measures to help businesses through the outbreak, including through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, VAT deferral and Bounce Back Loans.
Our measures to keep Welsh workers in Jobs have included the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“furlough”) and the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Up to 30 June 2020, 378,400 employments were furloughed and 108,000 SEISS claims worth £289m were made in Wales. Via Barnett Consequentials, the Welsh Government has received an additional £2.8bn to support the fight against Covid-19, including an additional £500m as a result of spending announced at the Summer Economic Update by the Chancellor.
The UK Government has also provided a loan directly to Celsa Steel to help support them during these difficult times. This loan secured 800 positions at the company’s main site in South Wales.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on tourism to Wales; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Hart of Tenby
I appreciate the huge impact Covid-19 has had on business owners and employees in the Welsh tourism sector, and have met with stakeholders across the industry to discuss concerns.
I am in regular discussions with the Welsh Government on the reopening of the tourism sector to ensure that Welsh businesses can make the most of this summer season. I wrote to the First Minister on 9 June on this issue. I welcome the Welsh Government’s plans for a partial reopening of the tourism sector in July, and I will continue to urge them to do more to support this vital industry.
Asked by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many staff in his Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.
Answered by David T C Davies
The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW) is not an employer in its own right. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) provide employment services on our behalf. We are fully committed to supporting staff who are carers, but do not hold information on the number of staff who have caring responsibilities.
The Department follows MoJ polices by offering a range of flexible working options to staff with caring responsibilities, enabling them to work in a way which best suits them. These include special leave, term-time working, job shares and compressed hours. Staff also have access to MoJ networks for carers.