Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan has sparked controversy by telling people they need to ditch Netflix and support struggling pubs and restaurants – or risk losing them for good.
Speaking in the Senedd, Morgan made the blunt comments while announcing a 15% business rate discount for hospitality venues and live music spaces across Wales. However, the relief only lasts one year, compared to England’s three-year scheme.
The First Minister didn’t mince words when challenged about pressures facing the hospitality sector: “If people want to see those businesses succeed, they need to use them. They need to stop buying things online. They need to get out of their homes and stop watching Netflix. They need to stop buying that bottle of wine at home and go out to the pub. That is the reality of what’s happening here. You can’t expect the state to step in and do the work that the public should be doing.”
Her comments ignited a political firestorm, with opposition leaders accusing her of dodging responsibility for government failures.
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth fired back: “This is a first minister that is completely out of touch – she has form for blaming others instead of taking responsibility for the government’s own failures.”
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar added that Morgan “has tried to blame Brexit and Donald Trump for Wales’ economic woes, now she’s blaming Welsh citizens and Netflix”.
Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds countered: “People are not willingly choosing Netflix over the high street. They are being forced indoors because prices keep rising and wages are not.”
Reform said simply: “Labour, not Netflix, that is causing pub closures.”
The Welsh government’s scheme will benefit approximately 4,400 pubs, restaurants, cafes and live music venues with a 15% business rates discount. However, hotels have been excluded entirely despite facing some of the steepest bill increases following property revaluations.
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford defended the package, saying ministers recognise hospitality and music venues are “facing real pressures, from rising costs to changing consumer habits”.
Trade body UKHospitality Cymru welcomed the inclusion of restaurants and cafes but expressed concern about the one-year timeframe and hotel exclusions, noting that “rates bills will still be going up year-on-year, even for those receiving relief”.
Chris Charters, director of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Wales, warned that property revaluations “could still lead to more of our locals in Wales being forced to close for good” despite the discount.
The announcement comes just three months before Wales goes to the polls for Senedd elections, with the Welsh government saying decisions beyond 2027/28 will be for the next parliament to determine.
