Shut offices abroad to save cash, Tories tell FM

The Welsh government's 20 offices abroad should be closed and the £4.7m saved spent on key public services, the Conservative Senedd leader has said.

The offices are in cities in North America, Europe, China, India, Japan, the Middle East and Africa. They include Beijing, New Delhi, Tokyo and New York.

Darren Millar called Labour "ridiculous" for "squandering millions of pounds" on "mini-embassies" when UK ministers are in charge of international relations and Welsh public services are under strain.

The Welsh government said the offices "link Wales with the world", attract trade and investment and support Welsh businesses with export markets.

Offices in India had also helped recruit doctors and nurses for the Welsh NHS, a spokesperson added.

Writing to Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan, Millar said the UK government "represents Wales, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, via a comprehensive network of embassies and consulates around the globe".

"I am sure you will agree that with our NHS under severe pressure, local councils making cuts due to financial challenges, and families grappling with cost-of-living pressures, every pound of taxpayers' money must be spent where it is most needed," he wrote.

"I therefore urge you to immediately begin the process of closing these unnecessary overseas offices, while working with the UK government to ensure that Wales' interests are adequately promoted overseas, using UK embassies as necessary."

In 2017 the Federation of Small Businesses said exports were not boosted by the offices, while the Welsh government argued statistics may not present an accurate picture.

Later that year plans for five new overseas offices were announced, to increase trade post-Brexit, taking the total to the current 20.

The Conservatives have previously questioned the value for money of the offices, but are going much further under their new leadership by demanding ministers pull the plug on them.

Millar took charge of the Tory Cardiff Bay group in December, elected unopposed, after his predecessor, Andrew RT Davies, quit a couple of days earlier.

A Welsh government spokesperson defended the overseas offices, stressing the administration works "very closely with the UK government to promote Wales on the international stage".

"Our international offices link Wales with the world, support our economy by attracting trade and investment and support Welsh businesses with export markets," the spokesperson said.

"For example, our offices in India have helped build our relationship with the country and has resulted in many nurses and doctors being recruited from India to play important roles in the Welsh NHS."

The first minister is due to travel to Paris and Brussels next month to celebrate St David's Day and promote the Welsh economy.