Last week, Vaughan Gething stated that the Welsh Government’s position on managing coronavirus was "overwhelmingly supported by members of the public".
So let me burst their ‘bubble’ by quoting from some of the hundreds of e-mails I have received stating otherwise.
The scene was set at the start of lockdown by people in isolation stating they “have had next to no information from the Welsh Government, it’s all coming from Westminster, Drakeford needs to get his finger out!”
Welsh Women’s Aid wrote to the Deputy Minister: “Services providing violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence support across Wales are in urgent need of ring-fenced emergency funding. Despite previous correspondence, this has not yet been provided.
Yesterday, they told Committee “The funding announced so far are existing funds…….”.
Hourglass Cymru, formerly Action on Elder Abuse, wrote stating “We are facing a crisis due to the levels of support we are being asked to provide ……”.
Responding to the Welsh Government’s call for temporary cycle lanes and pavement widening, Guide Dogs Cymru and RNIB Cymru wrote “any unexpected new element within the street environment has the potential to put us at risk”.
When I raised RNIB Cymru’s concern that blind or partially sighted person are having difficulty getting their groceries, the Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths, replied that they will only be a priority if they are identified as shielding.
Bed and Breakfast businesses wrote “Rebecca Evans: if we don't get the top up grant then our business will cease to trade”, “I am grossly insulted by the remarks that Ken Skates has made, essentially dismissing us as insignificant, unimportant, unreal businesses who are playing at making a living”, and “Sadly, Ken Skates’ lack of action is providing fuel to the argument against devolution”.
Holiday let businesses wrote “The guidance from the Welsh Government is not only unfair but clearly discriminates against holiday letting businesses”, “There was no consultation with the industry”, and “sadly a marked lack of confidence is building in the Welsh Government response”.
Holiday Park businesses wrote “These are desperate times”, and “I am pleading for the future of my business”.
I submitted an urgent Written Question to the First Minister on 30th April, asking him to respond “to calls by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association for a specific plan to support tourism businesses in Wales….”.
Other than a holding response, no reply has yet been received.
Dental Practices wrote “England, Ireland and Scotland have commenced planning for reopening of Dental Practices with strict new protocols…… there is no reason why Welsh Dental Practices should not be reopening as soon as they are fully prepared”.
A Nursing home which wrote “I have grave concern regarding how the access to PPE and Health Hygiene products in the care sector has been handled and continues to be farcically managed”, subsequently wrote stating that 5 residents had suffered COVID-19 related deaths and that “Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have so far contributed not a single penny towards the COVID-19 crisis”.
A constituent wrote “…..I have a friend who was due to have his kidney removed early April (cancer) and it was put off, he is still waiting and now very unwell. Despite two requests my wife can’t get a scan or X ray for something that may well be serious”.
Veterinary Practices wrote “the veterinary profession has so far been overlooked”.
The Welsh Government announced £6.3 million for Hospices, but it is receiving £12million consequential funding from the UK Government’s commitment to fund hospices in England – and Hospices wrote “we still don’t know how the Welsh Government will allocate the ‘additional’ £5.7m but it looks very unlikely that it will be passed on…….. should the crisis last much longer then hospices will be struggling….”.
Recent e-mails have included:
“We, like most involved in hospitality and tourism in Wales, were dismayed by Mark Drakeford's announcement which offers little hope to our already severely damaged sector”.
“My English Estate Agent colleagues are now super busy, hugely helping the economy, while we in North Wales are still in lock down….. we could easily open with social distancing measures”.
“The response from the First Minister has been weak, confused and definitely Cardiff and South Wales based”.
AND “It is frightening enough to be living through this pandemic, but the shambolic management and politicisation of the crisis by Mark Drakeford and Vaughan Gething etc. is criminal”.
By seeking to emasculate our motion today, this Welsh Government is showing that they still haven’t got it.