The Chair of the National Assembly’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee, Bethan Jenkins AM, has released the following statement in response to the announcement of job losses by the BBC.
Ms Jenkins said:
“I was very concerned at the announcement by the BBC to cut 300 jobs from its BBC Studios production arm, including 27 in Wales, as part of restructuring.
“The Committee will be questioning the Director General of the BBC, Tony Hall, about this at its meeting on 2 November.
“Staff in Wales are responsible for the production of a wide variety of programmes which make up a large part of the BBC schedule including Crimewatch, Bargain Hunt and X-Ray.
“We will be looking for assurances from Mr Hall about the future of the BBC in Wales, both in terms of Wales-specific programming, and the continuation of the excellent work produced by those at BBC Studios.
“While the direct job losses are troubling, I have already sought assurances about the implications of this announcement for the pay and conditions of remaining staff
“More broadly, it raises the question of whether spinning off BBC studios will make it more difficult for the BBC to meet its obligations to portray and reflect Wales both within Wales and more widely in the UK.
“There are clearly a number of serious questions for Lord Hall to answer when he appears before the Committee and I know Committee Members will want to make sure that Lord Hall is aware of the concerns on this and a range of other issues relating to the BBC’s role in and responsibility to Wales.”