Welsh Government must hold a vote before introducing new restrictions

Darren Millar MS – the Shadow Minister for Covid Recovery – has this afternoon challenged the Welsh Labour-led Government over its latest restrictions on the hospitality and indoor entertainment industries, and hit out at Ministers for failing to schedule a vote before they are introduced on Friday.

Speaking in the Welsh Parliament, Mr Millar spoke of the “significant impact” the restrictions will have on businesses and said they should be the subject of a debate and vote in the Senedd before coming into force.

Raising the matter with the Trefnydd and Minister for Finance in the Business Statement, Mr Millar said;

“Can I say how disappointed I am that we don’t have a debate taking place this week, prior to the very restrictive regulations which are going to come into play across the whole of Wales on Friday? You’ve had the opportunity. You could have tabled a ‘take note’ debate this afternoon for this Chamber to discuss the Welsh Government’s proposals, and to give an indication of its view on them.

“You and I both know that these restrictions are going to have a significant impact on the hospitality and indoor entertainment industries. Many of those businesses that will be affected are already on their knees, with tens of thousands of jobs hanging by a thread, and your restrictions are going to cause even more pain for those businesses.

“Many people regard these proposals as being completely disproportionate to the level of risk in those establishments, which are already regulated and Covid-safe environments.

“Your restrictions also pay absolutely no regard to the fact that the virus is circulating at very different rates in different parts of the country. In North Wales, rates are far lower than in some parts of the south.

“Can you explain to the Senedd today why on earth the Welsh Government hasn’t provided an opportunity to have a vote on these regulations prior to this Friday?”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Millar added:

“In her response the Trefnydd said there would be ‘the opportunity to vote on the regulations fully within the timescale set out by the Standing Orders of this Senedd’, but this would mean a vote two weeks away, it is simply not good enough.

“The restrictions were announced yesterday and will be coming into force on Friday. Given the huge damage they are going to cause to so many businesses across Wales, they should be properly scrutinised in the Senedd beforehand.”