Russell George MS – Shadow Minister for Economy, Business and Infrastructure – is concerned that insufficient is being done by the Welsh Labour-led Government to promote emergency funding schemes.
These include the Emergency Assistance Payments (EAP), the Economic Resilience Fund (ERF), and the Third Sector Covid-19 Response Fund – and that consequently too little is being allocated.
Mr George made his remarks as it emerged that just over half (£286 million) of the £500m allocated to the ERF has so far been allocated, with just over £9m of the Third Sector Covid-19 Response Fund’s £24m allotted.
Welsh Conservative Mr George said:
“With some of the support schemes, there is a significant gap between how much funding has been earmarked and the amount that has been awarded so far.
“It wouldn’t be wise to allocate all the resources immediately, but if the funding is there, then it should be distributed as much as possible to help individuals and businesses recover from a very difficult year, and to act as a buffer to any further restrictions later down the line.”