People are all saying the same thing after Eluned Morgan said ditch Netflix and 'go to the pub' |
People are all saying the same thing after Eluned Morgan said ditch Netflix and 'go to the pub'
First Minister Eluned Morgan said if people wanted to see hospitality businesses succeed they had to stop buying things online and use them, but it hasn't gone down well
First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
First Minister Eluned Morgan has suggested more of us should ditch Netflix and head to the pub to help ease the crisis in the hospitality sector, but people have been giving plenty of views on why that just can't happen for them and many others.
The First Minister suggested Wales' hospitality industry faced a crisis because of a lack of support. On the same day her administration announced tax relief for cafes, pubs, and restaurants through a 15% reduction in business rates, she addressed the Senedd: "Let's recognise there are changes happening in our communities and the way people behave in relation to their public services and businesses in their communities are changing.
”If people want to see those businesses succeed they need to use them, stop buying things online, get out of their homes, and stop watching Netflix, they need to stop buying that bottle of wine and go out to the pub.
"That's the reality of what's happening here. You can't expect the state to step in and be doing the work the public should be doing." Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newslette
Her comments have attracted a big response with many saying prices have become excessive, often due to Government policies and taxation. Many indicated that finances were stretched, making evenings out an infrequent luxury. The weather didn't help either, according to some.
One commenter, Megalotrump, suggested: "Months of rainfall do nothing to help, and have you seen the price of cab fares lately?
"Yes, I love a pub, but unless the transport is just outside the pub door, I’m staying home until the weather improves, and if all this rainfall means climate change and is here for good, then I am staying indoors! The Six Nations this month is usually the start when I head outside, let’s hope the sun comes out soon."
Malt added: "Welsh Labour have been in power since devolution. All Wales' problems are down to Labour. Higher council tax, higher alcohol prices, lack of infrastructure, wasted money on fanciful projects. Etc.
"Now top that up with London Labour, and you have new burdens on businesses, which they can't afford, so they have to either put prices up, close down or not recruit. Under this Labour government, people don't have the money to spend in pubs and are afraid to spend because they don't trust this government.
Goatman agreed: "We can't afford to go to the pub, Mrs Morgan, because your party has created policies that have made landlords put the price up so much that the vast majority of us cannot afford to buy a pint. Get rid of Milliband and his disastrous net zero policies, then maybe we can bring pints and food down enough to bring customers back again."
Kookyblueberry said: "But in Wales, Labour have been in power for years. Take a look at the state of housing, roads, transport, schools, the NHS, that’s not Tory created.
"They think only of themselves and how much more they can squeeze out of everyone and everything while cutting services, yet increasing their own costs to the public.
"Is she having a laugh? People can’t afford to go out to the pub or various other places as they are too skint from paying their council tax, so her and her chums can have a new building and more time/money wasters in the Senedd."
Boredtaxidriver62 commented: "So £6 a pint. £8 for double Jack and coke. A couple of them, something to eat, £100 easy for the couple that could get a fridge pack of beers, whole bottle of Jack, and have food delivered for £60. I've left out taxi there, taxi back. Before FB and socials, you had to go out. Not anymore."
Ouiapete wrote: "30% tax rise on alcohol. Perhaps she wasn't aware! Where I live there used to be 17 pubs. There are now 3. Still, better make use of the roads, booze drive to England!"
Pastcaring said: "Council tax now 3650 for me. I have no money for the pub and now cannot afford a bottle of wine from the shops with today's increase in the minimum unit alcohol price in Wales."
QuakersJones felt: "A simple approach would be to increase the unit price of alcohol purchased from shops, whilst reducing the cost of alcohol purchased in pubs. Applying the same unit cost to shop-bought and pub sales is wrong as the business models are so different."
Star44 believed: "We are already taxed a lot, so going out to pay higher prices in the pub is being taxed all over again. The government intends to take every penny it can from every single person to fund many things the public does not want or is not properly consulted about. So it is the government’s responsibility to make sure that businesses are not taxed out of existence and to encourage more people to visit them."
The UK Government last week unveiled a 15% reduction for pubs and live music venues on their new business rates bill from April 1, with bills subsequently frozen in real terms for an additional two years. In Wales, approximately 4,400 hospitality establishments will receive 15% relief on their business rates in 2026-27, costing £8m.
Are the first minister's comments warranted, or deluded? Comment HERE or below to join in the debate.