Call to devolve powers over broadcasting

NEWS of the massive overspend on the EastEnders set was greeted with surprise in Wales.

Bethan Sayed, Plaid Cymru chair of the Welsh Language, Culture and Communications Committee, said: “This figure outlining such a major overspend comes as a shock to me and will no doubt do so to many others as well, not just in Wales.

“I understand and support the BBC’s need to spend money and invest in its flagship programmes and entertainment – I want the BBC to be successful and relevant. But this overspend is completely out of all reasonable proportions.

“It’s also a little galling for us in Wales when we’re constantly being told by the BBC how tight finances are and how limited their budgets are for programmes made in Wales and set in Wales.

“I’m approached all the time by members from Equity and the Writers Guild – talented individuals wanting to work in Wales – who just don’t have the opportunities, in part because the BBC does not invest enough in original programming made here in Wales.

“I think it is a question of priorities. It also seems there are some questions raised by the Audit Office relating to this which need to be answered quickly. I hope that the BBC has some reasonable answers soon.”

Heledd Gwyndaf, language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s broadcasting spokesperson, said: “The people of Wales should have responsibility for our own spending on broadcasting, with our own licence fee and taxes spent here, on things that are valuable to us.

“We in Cymdeithas have done our sums and Wales can afford to have six radio and TV channels of our own, made in and for Wales. It would still be possible to enjoy programmes from other countries of course, but we wouldn’t be wasting our money on what an English corporation decides.

“Devolving powers over broadcasting and the content on our radio airwaves, TV and online is an increasingly urgent matter.”