THE MP for Brecon and Radnorshire has called on the Welsh Government to prepare Wales for a return to work

Fay Jones MP says Wales needs clear guidance on how the country can move forward from lockdown and how people can safely return to work.

It comes after the Welsh Government altered some lockdown restrictions for Wales, which differed from the alterations announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson two days later.

Ms Jones said: "I was slightly confused by the First Minister’s actions last week. It was disappointing to see an announcement on Friday, ahead of the Prime Minister’s statement on Sunday – confirming that the message in Wales is 'Stay Home' except for going to garden centres.

"That these changes didn’t take hold until the day after the Prime Minister spoke to the nation suggests that the First Minister was attempting to undermine the UK Government’s work.

"I would have preferred to have seen the four nations of the United Kingdom united in their approach to leaving lockdown, believing we ought to be standing together. But I was pleased to be able to raise this in the House of Commons on Monday and to have the Prime Minister confirm that things in Wales have not changed. We continue to stay at home in order to protect the NHS."

Ms Jones added: "It is evident from Sunday evening’s broadcast and the announcements since, that the Prime Minister has a clear exit plan, based on science and is conditional on the 'R' number reducing further. After seven weeks of significant sacrifice, we need some hope and direction in Wales of what next, a message of how we plan to move forward.

"Businesses will be encouraged by the news that the Chancellor Rishi Sunak is extending the UK Government’s furlough scheme. This will be a lifeline to many. I very much welcome this announcement from the Treasury but we must be prepared for some difficult times ahead.

"The Government cannot go on part-funding salaries forever and so getting the country back to work as soon as is safe is vitally important. Especially for our part of the world; now that the UK Government is encouraging people across the border in England to return to work, there is increased pressure on businesses in Powys.

"Likewise, schools over the border are now drawing up plans to open and welcome some pupils back. In Wales, all we have been told is that ‘this won’t happen on June 1.’ This unfortunately creates another area of confusion. It is essential that Welsh Government Ministers work with the UK Government to make sure that while messages might need to be different – they can be clear.

"The country has sacrificed so much to coronavirus. It has taken a huge toll on our society, but also on our economy. Having now flattened the curve of the virus and shielded our NHS from the worst of the outbreak, it is essential that we start to prioritise the economic health of the country. The Welsh Government needs to prepare Wales for returning to work and should come forward with a plan immediately."