Calls to handWelsh broadcasting responsibilities to Cardiff Bay
CALLS have been made for the UK Government to devolve broadcasting responsibilities to Wales as part of a review of Welsh-language channel S4C.
An open letter from a group of Labour and Plaid Cymru politicians to UK Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has been published ahead of an announcement about the future of the channel.
It calls for responsibilities for broadcasting to be moved to the Welsh Assembly, after an Assembly culture committee report concluded the question of devolution should form part of the UK Government’s S4C review.
Among the 15 MPs and AMs to sign the letter include Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, chair of the Assembly’s culture committee Bethan Jenkins, and Labour Assembly Members Eluned Morgan and Jeremy Miles.
The letter says: “We write to call on you and your ministerial colleagues in the UK Government to consider devolving responsibilities over broadcasting to Wales.
“We very much regret the substantial cut in the number of hours of Wales programming broadcast on ITV Cymru Wales over the last 20 years as well a the 40% cuts to S4C’s budget since 2010 and the current uncertainty over its government grant.
“Moreover, we are concerned by the drop in local and Welsh language content on many commercial radio stations as well as the fragile low level of local content on local television stations.
“Without a doubt, there needs to be substantially more scrutiny by the media of every level of government in Wales. The current system is failing and is overly reliant on one broadcaster.
“On the other hand, while the BBC intends to invest £30m to establish a new television channel for Scotland, the new BBC investment in Wales does not even fully reverse cuts made over the last 10 years.
“Devolving broadcasting is a change which enjoys strong support among the public, with one recent opinion poll showing that 65% of the Welsh public support devolving the responsibilities to the Senedd in Wales.
“Furthermore, we note Wales Office minister Guto Bebb’s statement that a discussion about devolution will ‘inevitably’ form a part of the S4C review.
“We know that there are a number of practical matters that need considering regarding the devolution of broadcasting responsibilities, and we believe the S4C review offers a great opportunity to have that detailed discussion.”
Ynys Môn’s Labour MP Albert Owen also expressed support for the campaign in a separate statement.
He said: “I support the principle of devolving S4C and broadcasting, but on the condition that it is funded by the Treasury and doesn’t impact on other budgets.
“Also, I believe in real devolution, not just to Cardiff Bay, but we must see jobs and opportunities spread across Wales – from Cemaes Bay to Cardiff Bay.”