The Assembly Government spent more than £4.8 million on external legal advice, hospitality and furniture last year, figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives have revealed.
Commenting on the figures, Opposition leader Nick Bourne AM said:
“I am staggered that the Assembly Government has spent vast sums of taxpayers’ money on legal advice, hospitality and furniture.
“It is particularly concerning that that Assembly Government incurred a total of £3,881,206 on external legal advice when they already have a sizable team of legal advisors on the books.
“With Wales in the grip of the recession and when people were expected to tighten their belts, it is also worrying that the Assembly Government seemed to think it appropriate to splash out hundreds of thousands of pounds on wining and dining.
“The Assembly Government is quick to warn other public sector bodies about the need to prioritise spending on frontline services as budgets are put under growing pressure. It’s about time ministers start practising what they preach and show meaningful support to people and businesses across Wales.”
