The Welsh Labour Government used taxpayer money to pay for meals at restaurants in Manhattan and visits to Soho House in Hollywood in a £1.5 million spending spree.

The party spent £1,494,599 on company cards across the 2022-23 financial year, data show, an 81 per cent increase on the £821,871 spent the previous year.

Documents show Welsh government cards were used in March and April 2022 to pay bills of £7,949 and £15,933 at Zou Zou’s, a Manhattan restaurant serving eastern Mediterranean dishes such as a $51 lobster kebab and $130 fire-roasted lamb.

Another £5,158 was spent in November 2022 at the exclusive members’ club Soho House in West Hollywood.

Marketed as a place for “creative thinkers” to eat, think and relax, the club allows members to book out event spaces, enjoy its gym and spa and dine at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus online show one option available is a $56 (£42) truffle pizza.

While it is not known what exactly the bill covered, the expense is categorised as “exhibitions and events”.

A total of £2,912 was also spent on products and services from GoPro’s website, which specialises in cameras that can be worn while filming or taking part in extreme sports.

In December 2022, the cards paid for a £625 bill for Mimo Limousine Car Service, a limo and chauffeur car firm based in Montreal, Canada.

The documents also showed the Welsh Government spent £178 at a Texan BBQ restaurant in Dallas, with the expense categorised as “corporate hospitality”.

£2,000 on French catering firm

Online menus show a pulled pork sandwich and a side costs $12 (£9). In the same month, just over £2,000 was spent on a French catering firm in April

A further £256 was spent at Total Wine and More, an American alcohol retailer, days later.

Other expenses listed included £1,464 spent at a marine and watersports clothing specialist in North Yorks and £277 at a firm which specialises in the production of national flags.

The expenses have been published after Welsh Labour said it was considering raising income tax two months after the UK-wide party told voters that the rate would not be increased.

Mark Drakeford, the former Welsh first minister who is now finance secretary, said the changes would be looked at for the Welsh Government’s budget in December 2024.

Labour-run Wales also has nine times as many NHS hospital waits of more than a year compared with Engl and, according to Office for National Statistics figures released over the summer.

Sir Keir Starmer and the UK-wide Labour Party has endured heavy criticism over its recently published registered gifts and donations – with MPs and ministers facing questions on whether it is appropriate to accept free clothes and concert or football match tickets.

Andrew RT Davies MS, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “You couldn’t make this up.

“The Labour Welsh Government are literally dining out on the backs of taxpayers as they complain of tight financial constraints and NHS waiting lists balloon for six consecutive record-breaking months.

“Labour will also struggle to justify spending thousands on swanky Hollywood members’ clubs when hard-pressed taxpayers in Wales struggle to make ends meet.

“It seems that Labour at both ends of the M4 are addicted to luxury, but it’s always someone else who pays for it.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Procurement cards reduce administration costs and are used by government departments across the UK. We have rigorous processes in place to limit, monitor and control their use.

“Transactions are reviewed, require approval by senior managers and are subject to regular internal audit. Transparency is important and we publish detailed information on procurement card use every year.”

They added: “Examples of procurement card use include fuelling and maintaining the Welsh Government fisheries protection vessels, renewal of software licences, health and safety related expenditure and overseas events and exhibitions to promote Wales, including extensive St David’s Day activities.

“The latest figures reflect a return to pre-pandemic levels of travel and promotional activity.”