Publish Welsh Government Credit Card Statements for Democratic Accountability
Rejected
3 signatures
I’m calling on the Senedd to require the Welsh Government to publish monthly government credit card statements, with redactions only where required by law or for national security.
After the Westminster expenses scandal, the public demanded greater transparency. Wales should be no different.
Taxpayers have a right to know how their money is spent. If taxpayers pay the bill, they deserve to see the bill.
More details
For years, we have been told that the Senedd is built on transparency. Yet, when it comes to how the Welsh Government actually spends public money on a day-to-day basis, that transparency disappears The Senedd rightly scrutinises Welsh Government budgets in detail, yet spending made on government credit cards is not subject to the same level of public scrutiny. Taxpayers should be able to see not only what government plans to spend, but what it actually spends.
Routine publication of government credit card statements would help deter fraud, waste, misuse of public funds, and inappropriate spending while strengthening democratic accountability.
Publishing this information would also protect honest Ministers and officials by demonstrating that public money is being spent responsibly. If budgets are scrutinised, spending should be scrutinised too.
Public money belongs to the public. If the Welsh Government expects taxpayers to foot the bill, taxpayers deserve to see the bill.