Figures uncovered by the Welsh Conservatives reveal that the Welsh Labour Government has spent more than £1.25million employing staff to work on trade union activities in the last two years.

The revelations, revealed by South East Wales Assembly Member Mohammad Asghar, show how 91 Welsh Government employees undertake full or part-time trade union duties at the taxpayer's expense.

Last month, Francis Maude MP launched the UK Government's consultation on trade union time and facilities in the civil service.

Mohammad Asghar AM said, "At a time when families across Wales are tightening their belts, it is astonishing that the Labour Government is frittering away taxpayers' money on trade union activities.

"Labour is leaving itself open to accusations of using public money to feather its own nest and dancing to the tune of the Party's paymasters.

"Of course employees should have the right to effective trade union representation, but many taxpayers would think 91 representatives at an annual cost of £630,000 is, in the current climate, somewhat excessive.

"The Labour Party received 74% of its funding from the trade unions in the first quarter of this year, so it seems suspicious that the Welsh Labour Government is using taxpayer-funded resources to further trade union aims.

"I believe it is time for an open and transparent review of the roles and functions of the Welsh Government's trade union representatives, the resources available to them from the public purse and any evidence of benefit to hard-pressed taxpayers."

Paul Davies AM, Shadow Minister for Finance, said, "We know that public money is scarce and that all public bodies are having to rein in their spending and manage budgets within their means.

"Welsh Labour Ministers need to show that they share the priorities of the Welsh public and reflect that in their budget.

"It seems extraordinary that Labour should cut the NHS budget by £534million over the next three years, before identifying potential savings in its own bureaucracy.

"Perhaps without the distraction of full-time trade union activities, the Welsh Government might be able to focus on actually delivering improvements in public services and the economy."