AS it is Volunteers’ Week, I wanted to congratulate all of those people who have signed up to help those in need during the Coronavirus pandemic, writes Russell George MS.

Over 2,000 volunteers in Powys have registered to help, and have been used to befriend and check on the welfare of residents, go shopping for those who need it, take patients home from hospital, collect prescriptions and help out in the community kitchens and foodbanks.

This shows that the people of Powys have stepped up to the plate and showed their generosity of spirit in helping other people in their communities who find themselves in need at this very challenging time.

As Chair of the Welsh Parliament’s Economy Committee, my scrutiny role will primarily be focused on how the Welsh Government has supported the Welsh economy.

While I am sure we all agree the lockdown measures have been necessary to protect the NHS and save lives, they have severely disrupted the Welsh economy. There is no doubt that Wales is being hit very hard by the pandemic and proportionally more Welsh workers have been furloughed than in any other UK nation.

I find it regrettable that we are easing the lockdown at a different pace to our neighbours in England. This is already beginning to cause more problems than solutions and puts Powys’ businesses at a significant disadvantage. I believe that it would have been preferable for the whole of the UK to have been acting in a unified and cohesive way, because the differences in approach only serve to compound the confusion and frustration of businesses, particularly for those in locations along our long border with England.

The First Minister’s announcement last Friday of an initial easing of the lockdown restrictions was a missed opportunity to say something positive to Welsh businesses. Businesses should be judged on their merits and allowed to reopen with immediate effect if they can demonstrate that they can operate and comply with social-distancing guidelines. This will get the Mid Wales economy moving again.