The Welsh Government spent a dizzying £1.5 million on hospitality between 2022 and 2023, newly unveiled figures have shown - including £15,000 at a swanky New York restaurant. And the revelations have shocked Andrew TC Davies, later of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd, who claimed Labour politicians were "living a well-documented life of luxury".
The Welsh Government - now led by First Minister Eluned Morgan - used procurement cards to spend £1,494,599 - an 81 percent more than the £821,871 racked up the previous year. The official figures show bills included £7,949 and £15,933 at Zou Zou’s in Manhattan, where dishes include a lobster kebab at £39 ($51) a pop and fire-roasted lamb, costing £99 ($130). Mr Davies told Express.
co.uk: “These spends will shock taxpayers. “Labour politicians have a well-documented love of luxury, but it’s always someone else who pays for it.
“Many hard-pressed pensioners will struggle to make ends meet this year after Labour’s unforgivable winter fuel payment cut, but you can bet that the Labour Welsh Government’s taxpayer-funded credit cards will keep on swiping." Other expenditure included £5,158 was spent at the exclusive Soho House in West Hollywood , a members-only club which is billed as a retreat for “creative thinkers”. Menus at the club feature items such as a £42 truffle pizza.
While it is unclear what the specific expenditure actually covered, transactions were listed under “exhibitions and events�.
