For me and for many within the constituency for whom farming and agriculture is their passion, the cancellation of the Royal Welsh Show, which generates up to £45 million into our local economy is devastating. The Show is a national highlight and the effect this has had on our local businesses and communities has been catastrophic.
I made a speech in the House of Commons where I highlighted the Show and the other international events that Brecon and Radnorshire is home to; Brecon Jazz, Hay Literary Festival, The Green Man Festival, even The International Bog Snorkelling in Llanwrtyd Wells. All of these are cancelled this year. These events mean so much to everyone – I am deeply concerned about the effect that the Coronavirus will have on our mental health.
Cancelling these events jeopardises the rural economy – as well as the money spent by tourists in our shops and pubs, hundreds of seasonal workers have also lost their jobs. With economic growth lower in rural areas than urban areas, we urgently need both the Welsh Government and the UK Government to prioritise rural recovery.
I have, however, much to thank this Government for, not least the thousands of employed and self-employed jobs that have been saved in Brecon and Radnorshire. This Government has dug deep to provide an unprecedented level of support both in terms of finance and guidance. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the Welsh Government.
In England the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with the Arts and Culture sector advising when they can reopen, in Wales we have no idea.
Whilst the £59m Government grant for the Welsh Government to distribute to the arts in Wales is an absolute lifeline for many, we have thousands of artists and performers in Wales who don’t know when they can return to work.
The Mid Summer statement gave The Welsh Government an extra £500m. A 50% discount for diners, and a VAT cut for hospitality and tourism from 20% to 5%, which is vital to kickstart our tourism and hospitality sector for the month of August. The announcement this afternoon for Pubs, Cafes and restaurants, finally being able to reopen on August 3rd means businesses can finally make plans.
Of course we need to pay close attention to the rate of infection and we must not be afraid to reimpose restrictions if we have to – but while counterparts in England have visibility, we in Wales are in the dark.
The Government’s priority was to protect jobs across the country and it has provided a lifeline for millions of people and businesses. The Furlough and Self Employment schemes have provided Brecon and Radnorshire with an extraordinary amount of economic support during the coronavirus outbreak.
· 6,300 jobs in the constituency have been protected through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), with Government grants covering 80 per cent of people’s wages, up to £2,500 a month.
· 4,300 self-employed people across Brecon and Radnorshire are receiving grants worth a total of £11.9 million from the Government to help with the impact of coronavirus.
While this is a really good start, many businesses in the constituency still face uncertainty. It is absolutely essential that the Brecon and Radnorshire economy is open for business.
