Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Welsh government must take action on Westminster broadcasting cuts

Plaid Cymru has called on Carwyn Jones and the new Labour government to take action to halt Tory and Lib Dem cuts that are decimating the broadcasting industry in Wales. At present S4C and BBC Wales face huge cuts that will not only impact on those channels but also independent businesses across Wales.

Plaid Cymru’s Heritage spokesperson, Bethan JenkinsAM, says that the devolution of broadcasting, along with the budget for it, is essential to maintaining a strong creative industry in Wales. The South West AM said that Carwyn Jones’s refusal to look at this possibility was an admission that he has given up the fight to protect jobs reliant on broadcasting services. The former Heritage Minister for Wales, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, has also criticised Labour, accusing the government of being implicit in Tory cuts through their inaction.

Bethan Jenkins AM, said:

“The broadcasting industry in Wales can’t accept any further inaction from the Welsh government. Plaid Cymru’s position is very clear on this matter. We are not prepared to see the Tories and Lib Dems in Westminster continue to decimate S4C, BBC Wales and the many independent jobs and businesses that rely on the broadcasting industry in Wales. We want to see the devolution of broadcasting and its budget.

“It makes perfect sense that decisions on the future of broadcasting in Wales are made by the Welsh government. The fundamental question is why is this new Labour Welsh government happier for our broadcasting industry to be left at the mercy of the Tories and Lib Dems in London rather than take responsibility for it.

“If Carwyn Jones and his new Labour Welsh government are not prepared to take the responsibility for Welsh broadcasting and fight for its future, then there is a danger that his voice will become even more irrelevant when complaining to the UK government in future.”

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, said:

“By refusing to take action, refusing to look at the devolution of broadcasting and refusing to push the Westminster government on this issue Carwyn Jones, and his new Labour government, are making it publicly known that they want the Tories and Lib Dems in Westminster to have control over the future of Welsh services.

“The inaction of this government makes them equally responsible for the cuts that BBC Wales, S4C and independent companies across Wales are facing. If Carwyn Jones continues to argue in support of the Tories and Lib Dems in Westminster having the right to slash funding in Wales he cannot claim to have the interests of the people of Wales at heart. Labour stood on an election platform of being a shield against all Westminster cuts. It is time for them to deliver on that.”

ENDS / DIWEDD

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