The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (14 May) urged the Welsh Government to provide greater clarity on the next phase of its Economic Resilience Fund. 

The support package to Welsh businesses, enacted following the outbreak of COVID-19, was originally announced in April 2020. The founding idea behind the ERF was that it would fill gaps left by other schemes to aid businesses during the period of government restrictions. The ERF is currently paused for reassessment.

Mrs Finch-Saunders has also asked the Welsh Government to do more to support Aberconwy's raft of small limited companies. The Welsh Parliamentary Member say that such companies provide vital employment opportunities for local services and trades. 

Commenting on the anxiety felt by businesses, Janet said: 

 “I am acutely aware of the concern shared by many businesses throughout Aberconwy, regarding the lack of clarity on the next phase of the Economic Resilience Fund.  

“I have always welcomed the consecutive support announcements from the Welsh Government. It was vital that Welsh Ministers followed the UK Government’s lead in putting forth an  unprecedented package of support to protect jobs, businesses and incomes.  

“Now, Ministers must come forward and provide clear detail of how the Welsh Government are going to plug the existing support gaps.  

“I also ask that the Welsh Government ensure that limited companies, which employ only their director and pay through dividends, are a focus of future support. The knock-on employment opportunities these small enterprises offer remain too great for North Wales to lose. 

ENDS