BBC Wales cuts risk ‘irreversible deterioration’, warns first minister

Wales’s First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Culture Minister Heledd Fychan have warned that planned BBC cuts could cause an “irreversible deterioration” in its service to Wales. They say the proposals may undermine the broadcaster’s cultural and economic contribution and risk breaching commitments in its Royal Charter.

The plans form part of the BBC’s UK-wide £500m savings programme. BBC Wales announced 58 job cuts and 20 fewer hours of annual television programming in September; the Welsh ministers also raised concerns about proposed reductions to BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Wales, and funding for S4C. BBC director-general Matt Brittin said Wales is central to the BBC’s mission and that Welsh-language services are core to its public purposes.