Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on support for businesses in (a) Newport West constituency and (b) Wales affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

This Government has issued £1.116 billion through the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, £303 million through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and £490 million through the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme to support businesses in Wales. In August in Newport West, 11,500 employments were furloughed with a take up rate of 27 per cent.

I have been having discussions across and at all levels of Government to support businesses in Wales and mitigate the impact of the covid-19 pandemic. This includes not only discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, but also businesses within Newport West such as the Compound Semi-Conductor Cluster, Airbus and the Celtic Manor, to drive forward our commitments to secure jobs, stimulate growth and provide opportunities?to level-up?in Wales – all of which will support economic recovery.