James Evans has asked the Welsh Government what it can do to help pubs survive the cost of living crisis.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS said at the Senedd this week that he had been alarmed to read ONS figures showing that the average price of a pint of beer has gone up nine per cent compared to last year.

More than 50 pubs a month are closing across the UK compared to around 30 pubs a month last year.

Mr Evans told Economy Minister Vaughan Gething: “Pubs are the heartbeat of many communities in Brecon and Radnorshire, and they play an important social role for many people.

“What is the Welsh Government doing to support our pubs through a difficult winter and beyond?”

Mr Gething agreed that pubs are an important part of community life and that they are facing a challenge from rising costs.

He said: “The difficulty comes, beyond the support we have provided through business rates, with what other support we can provide in a budget that has little room for manoeuvre.

“You'll see in the draft budget there isn't a spare amount of cash that the Finance Minister has held back to do so.

“There is a wide range of challenges. It's part of the conversation we'll continue to have not just with the sector but with the UK Government.”

Mr Gething said the Government is looking at what it can do and what resources are available to support pubs as businesses and as important community hubs.