Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, David Mills questioned the value for money delivered by the Welsh Government’s network of overseas offices.

Mr Mills highlighted that the Welsh Government operates 20 overseas offices across four continents at a reported annual cost of approximately £5 million.

“Will the First Minister outline how the Welsh Government’s international offices deliver value for money for Welsh taxpayers?” asked David Mills MS.

In response to the question, the First Minister said: “I have always vowed, as an internationalist, that my Government will be internationalist in its outlook and always seek opportunities to sell Wales to the world. Through our overseas network, we have opportunities to support exports, to attract inward investment, but also to strengthen international partnerships and to promote Wales. And like all aspects of Government, we will want, as a new Government, to make sure that our operations in this area are effective and efficient.”

Mills then described the overseas as “mini embassies” and branded them a “waste,” insisting that international relations are not the remit of the Welsh Government.

“These (overseas offices) are on four continents, costing £5 million a year to run, and they're part of a larger package of £58 million, which is spent on all sorts of things,” said David Mills.

“Is this indulgence worth it when public finances are so tight? So, does the First Minister genuinely believe that every one of those overseas offices is delivering value for money? And would he not agree with me that the money would be better spent on the NHS, schools and other failing vital public services that are actually within the Senedd's devolved responsibilities?”

In response to the MS’ questions, the First Minister said: “Spending money on 'all sorts of things' is quite an argument to put forward. 17

“I'll tell you what the Welsh Government is absolutely meant to do by law: it is to seek the best for Wales. Our international operations are about seeking trade deals for Wales, attracting inward investment to Wales, selling agriculture produce to the world, building the kind of soft diplomacy that can bring results to Wales.

“Now, I know that the Member is isolationist in the way that he sees the world. I am not; I am somebody who will always seek to promote Wales's place in the world for the benefit of all the people who live in Wales.”

Following their back and forth in the Senedd, David Mills MS said:"When I came into the Senedd from farming and business, I was shocked by the level of waste, and nothing symbolises that more than a network of 20 overseas offices costing Welsh taxpayers millions of pounds every year.

"If these offices are delivering value for money, the First Minister should be able to demonstrate exactly what each one delivers and why they need to remain open.

"At a time when our NHS, schools and other vital public services are under enormous pressure, we have to ask whether millions of pounds should really be spent maintaining what are effectively mini embassies around the world.

"International relations and trade are the responsibility of the UK Government, and Welsh taxpayers expect the Welsh Government to get back to bread-and-butter issues, directing money towards our failing public services here at home."

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