North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has criticised the First Minister for failing to provide self-catering accommodation businesses in North Wales with the financial support they needed in consequence of Coronavirus restrictions in Wales, and for his dismissive response to their pleas for help in the Senedd Chamber this afternoon.
Welsh Covid restrictions have hit hospitality and tourism businesses hard and throughout the pandemic Mr Isherwood has repeatedly called on the Welsh Government to provide them with the financial support they need in order to survive.
He is therefore frustrated that many of these businesses were further hit by the Alert Level 2 restrictions introduced by the Welsh Government in December.
Questioning the First Minister on Welsh Government support for the hospitality sector during the pandemic in today’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, he called on him to respond to the owners of self-catering accommodation businesses in North Wales who are desperate for help, but was disappointed by his dismissive response.
Mr Isherwood said:
“I was contacted by many concerned North Wales constituents running legitimate self-catering accommodation businesses regarding the Welsh Government’s Business Support grants launched following the introduction of Alert Level 2 restrictions In December.
“For example, one stated: “Our Farm Cottages sleep 22 a courtyard. The grant is only available to self-catering properties for 30 or more guests. I lost all my bookings over Christmas and the New Year as guests chose England over Wales for their festive breaks”.
“Another said: “Our Cottage Holidays business is a bone fide holiday let business with accounts to support it providing enterprise, employment and value to the area of the Dee valley.
“Another said: “My only income comes from our Self-catering Business. We have been impacted by 100% decrease in bookings December – February. We feel discriminated against”.
“When I referred this to your Economy Minister, he replied “there are no restrictions in place for indoor household mixing, therefore self-catering accommodation are not eligible”.
“To which Businesses replied: “We lost bookings because of the Welsh Government decision” and “because of the restrictions put in place on pubs and restaurants my guests chose to spend the festive period in parts of the UK where there were no restrictions ie. not Wales.” “Can you please ask the Welsh Government to return the funding lost from Welsh businesses?”
How do you respond accordingly?”
The First Minister replied:
“I respond in exactly the way that the Member has already heard from the Economy Minister: those businesses were able to operate. There were no restrictions on their ability to operate. It is not legitimate to expect the taxpayer to step in in those circumstances.”
Speaking outside the meeting, Mr Isherwood added:
“Mark Drakeford’s answer was arrogant, disgraceful and insulting to the North Wales residents running these legitimate North Wales businesses. As they told me, ‘This cannot be seen to be fair!’, ‘we feel unjustly targeted as business owners who happen to manage self-catering operations as an enterprise’ and ‘I feel discriminated against. For no reason or fault of my own. Penalized and treated unfairly compared to other tourism businesses. And I feel there is nothing I can do about it’.”