Welsh first minister warns BBC cuts risk ‘irreversible deterioration’
Rhun ap Iorwerth has warned the BBC’s director-general, Matt Brittin, that planned cuts in Wales risk an “irreversible deterioration” in its service and could put the corporation in breach of its Royal Charter obligations. BBC Wales announced 58 job cuts in September under UK-wide plans to save £500m. Mr Brittin replied that the BBC takes its duties to Wales “extremely seriously”.
The letter, co-signed by culture minister Heledd Fychan and copied to Lisa Nandy, singles out Radio Cymru, “the only radio news service through the medium of Welsh”, and warns that cuts there remove services altogether. It also raises concerns about funding for S4C. The Plaid Cymru-led government accepts that the BBC’s funding needs “fundamental reform” but says the changes could alter its Welsh services’ strategic character. Mr Brittin called Welsh-language services “a core part of how we serve audiences in Wales”. He meets the first minister on 18 November.