Welsh Government staff have come under scrutiny for their expenditure on meals in New York and around the world, with figures for 2022-23 revealing significant spending on travel and dining. The total amount spent on Welsh Government procurement cards, which cover items such as food, travel, and hospitality, nearly doubled to £1.49 million, compared to £821,871.38 in the previous year. The procurement cards outline the expenditure, with strict rules governing their use by different departments and individuals within the Welsh Government.
Notable expenses include a hefty bill of £15,933.45 at exclusive New York restaurant Zou Zou’s, as well as significant payments to Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, and various luxury hotels in locations like Doha, Mumbai, and New York. Hospitality costs at venues worldwide, including popular eateries and hotels, amounted to thousands of pounds, with expenses at establishments such as Soho House in West Hollywood and the Roxy Hotel in New York.
Travel expenses also featured prominently, with outlays for trips to cities across the UK and around the globe, including New Jersey, Tokyo, Barcelona, and Atlanta. The highest travel-related spend was at the steakhouse Smith & Wollensky, followed by expenses at luxury hotels and airlines. Other costs included accommodation, car hire, corporate hospitality, exhibitions, health and safety, ICT, postage, printing, professional memberships, and more.
A Welsh Government spokesperson explained that the rise in expenditure reflects a return to pre-pandemic levels of travel and promotional activities. They highlighted the importance of transparency in detailing the usage of procurement cards, which are subject to monitoring and internal audits. The expenditure covered a range of purposes, from fuelling fishery protection vessels to funding overseas events and exhibitions promoting Wales.
It is clear from the breakdown of figures that Welsh Government staff engaged in significant expenditure on meals, travel, and hospitality, with expenses spanning various locations worldwide. The revelations have sparked discussion around the appropriateness of such spending and the need for transparency and accountability in government expenditure.