‘Wave of frustration’ over action of cummings
THE Secretary of State for Wales has conceded “there isn’t an MP in the UK who hasn’t been hit by a wave of frustration about recent events” following the controversy surrounding the government’s top adviser, Dominic
Cummings.
Simon Hart MP was giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee when he was asked whether he shared concerns about what impact Mr Cummings’ actions will have on the public.
He said nobody was suggesting that anything that causes confusion was particularly helpful. But he said he believed most people had been applying common sense regarding lockdown measures.
On longer-term support for struggling local government, Mr Hart said he didn’t know whether Barnett fund money has already been earmarked or spent in Wales.
However, he said it is a substantial amount of money that will address at least some of these concerns.
He said he was aware there was no single solution to fixing the problem and that he wanted to be as flexible and realistic as possible moving forward – as did the Chancellor – about what the requirements will be and over what timescale.
When asked what steps both the UK and Welsh governments could take to secure the long-term future of highly skilled engineering and research and development jobs in Wales, Mr Hart stressed that job schemes continue to apply, adding that they have been a lifeline to many companies.
Asked whether there is a case to be made for more grant aid or tax rebates, as some businesses will not recover as fast as others, Mr Hart said there are a number of examples where people have said they don’t want to take up the offers of help already available as it could lead to an unsustainable level of debt.
He said the Chancellor is looking at interventions to keep the economy running and keep people in jobs.
He said individuals would have to make a judgement about whether grants or loans work best in that capacity.
The Treasury will also have to look at how it will redress the biggest chunk of borrowing since records have began, he said.
Mr Hart acknowledged that these interventions cannot last forever.