The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (10 November) urged the Welsh Government to provide regular updates on how Business Wales is coping with its Coronavirus grant scheme responsibilities, following complaints from constituents about confusing advice and elongated waiting times when using the helpline.  

Commenting on the issue, following her contribution in the Senedd today, Janet said:  

“I am greatly concerned about the pressures placed on Business Wales by the Welsh Government. The strain that this organisation is under is leading to avoidable mistakes, resulting in great confusion and frustration during a period of already tremendous challenge for our businesses. 

“This is not a new issue, either. Last month, during a session of the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister, I raised the fact that the Business Wales website was not always providing accurate information as updates to the public facing text would often not run in parallel with a public announcement.  

“But whilst the First Minister welcomed the feedback, there remains an urgent need for improvement. Indeed, I have constituents who have been told they are required to provide extra information to Business Wales but have not been advised how this should be provided. When we are informed that grants are first-come, first-served, this is an extremely worrying predicament. 

“Others complain of an astronomically long waiting time when calling the helpline, with one of my own team being placed on hold for an hour and ten minutes before the line was cut at 5pm. This is time that many of my local businesses cannot afford to spend waiting on the phone. 

“Given the tremendous responsibility this agency currently bears, I genuinely believe that the team may be overwhelmed. As such, I believe that the Welsh Parliament should be provided with regular updates as to how the organisation is managing the huge businesses support responsibility.” 

ENDS

Photo: Michael Longmire on Unsplash