What consideration has the Welsh Government given to establishing a special fund for outdoor education centers similar to the plans in place in Scotland to enable the centers to survive the pandemic?
I am aware of the impact that Covid-19 is having on the outdoor education sector.
To support businesses into the New Year, on the 30 November the First Minister announced a £340m package of support directed primarily at the hospitality, tourism and related supply chain sectors. This is made up of a £160m Business Restrictions Fund and a £180m sector-specific fund for hospitality and leisure businesses.
Following the move into alert level four and the closure of all retail businesses after Christmas, the Business Restrictions Fund was increased to £270m.:
The funding provides:
- £270m ERF Business Restrictions Fund: To provide operating costs support for up to 60,000 businesses materially impacted as a result of national restrictions. Linked to the non-domestic rates system.
- £180m ERF sector-specific support .
- Continuation of the local authority delivered local Discretionary Grants
Most businesses should also be able to access certain support available from the UK Government – including the Job Retention Scheme or the Self Employed Income Support Scheme – subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
To date the outdoor educational sector has received £455.5k through the first three phases of the Economic Resilience Fund and those with a rateable property will also have received funding under the non-domestic rates grants.
I have asked officials to undertake an analysis to further understand the impact on the sector.