The first minister of Wales is telling the public to stop watching Netflix and support pubs

Wales’ first minister has sparked controversy after urging the public to stop watching Netflix and go to the pub instead to support struggling businesses.

Speaking in the Senedd, Eluned Morgan said consumers need to “get out of their homes” and use pubs, bars and restaurants if they want to survive, following the Welsh Government’s announcement of a one-year business rates discount in the sector.

His comments come after ministers confirmed a 15 per cent business rate discount for pubs, restaurants, cafes and live music venues in Wales for the 2026-27 financial year. The measure is intended to help about 4,400 businesses facing rising costs, but the program will only last for one year.

England, by contrast, presented a long support package. Under plans announced by the UK Government, pubs and live music venues in England will receive a 15 per cent discount from April, with business rates frozen for another two years.

During heated debates in the Senedd, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth warned that the tourism industry in Wales was facing an “existential crisis” and called for urgent changes to the business rates system.

In response, Morgan said that government support alone will not save the industry.

“If people want to see those businesses succeed, they must use them,” he said. “They need to stop buying things online. They need to get out of their houses and stop watching Netflix.

“They should stop buying that bottle of wine at home and go out to the bar, you can’t expect the government to intervene and do the work that should have been done by the community.”

Opposition groups erupted in fury, accusing the first minister of blaming the public rather than facing structural pressures on hospitality.

Ap Iorwerth later said that Morgan was “completely out of touch” and had a tendency to “blame others instead of taking responsibility for government failures”.

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said the first minister had blamed Brexit and Donald Trump for the economic crisis in Wales and now “blames the citizens of Wales and Netflix”.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds added: “People are not willingly choosing Netflix over the high street.

The Welsh Government has defended the timing of the plan, saying decisions for 2027-28 and beyond will be made by the next Senedd, with the Welsh election three months away.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said ministers recognized hospitality and music venues were “facing real pressure, from rising costs to changing consumer behaviour”, and said the rate cuts would provide short-term relief.

Trade body Hospitality Cymru welcomed the inclusion of pubs and restaurants but said it was “remarkable” that the grant only lasted for one year. It also warned that hotels, which face the biggest increase, are not included at all.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in Wales also welcomed the discount but warned that rising property prices could still force pubs to close.

Business rates in Wales are set by the Welsh Government and collected by local authorities, with some companies facing sharp increases following the review.