Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, David Mills MS, has questioned the Welsh Government's decision to spend millions of pounds on overseas offices and international initiatives, arguing that public money should be prioritised for communities here in Wales.

Speaking in the Senedd during questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution, Mr Mills challenged the use of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act to justify international spending, arguing that its purpose should be to leave Wales in a stronger position for the next generation.

He highlighted the pressures facing public services across Wales, including poor educational outcomes, record-low school results, and unacceptably long NHS waiting lists, questioning whether overseas projects represent the right priorities for Welsh taxpayers.

The MS has previously questioned the use of overseas office to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Mr Mills also drew attention to international initiatives funded by the Welsh Government, including disability-inclusive beekeeping projects in Uganda, questioning what tangible benefits such spending delivers for people in Wales.

He argued that international development is the responsibility of the UK Government rather than the Welsh Government, and called on Ministers to explain what measurable benefits their overseas commitments are delivering for future generations in Wales.

Mills’ comments

Following his contribution in the Senedd, David Mills MS said: "The Well-being of Future Generations Act should be about leaving Wales in a stronger position, not providing the Welsh Government with a blank cheque to spend millions of pounds around the world while our own public services struggle.

"Whether it’s overseas offices or disability-inclusive beekeeping in Uganda, Ministers need to explain what Welsh taxpayers are actually getting in return, particularly when our schools and NHS are facing such significant pressures.

"International development is the responsibility of the UK Government, not the Welsh Government, and Ministers should focus their resources on improving education, strengthening our NHS, and delivering tangible benefits for the people of Wales and our next generation."

The response

During their exchange in the Senedd, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution Dafydd Trystan Davies said: “I can reassure the Member that this Government won't be writing blank cheques to anyone, and anyone who knows our finance Minister will know that that is very much the case. We have set out in our manifesto a set of priorities around tackling waiting lists, around childcare, around tackling child poverty, around improving our economy and on schools. Those are the very priorities that will form the cornerstone of our budget.93

“And the Member asks about international spending and whether there are any benefits from international spending. As the First Minister said there, we have attracted significant inward investment to Wales because of our international offices promoting international investment into Wales. And I repeat: we are an internationalist Government that works with the world and abroad, and that is our privilege and our priority.”