S4C '£1.5m cuts per year' warning by ex-channel boss

S4C's funding has been put under the spotlight by the UK culture secretary

A call by the culture secretary for S4C to face similar cuts to the BBC could mean it loses up to 10% of its budget, says a former chief executive.

Arwel Ellis Owen also said he was worried about the BBC's independence following confirmation that it would fund free TV licences for the over-75s.

It follows comments by Culture Secretary John Whittingdale over the Welsh language channel.

Mr Ellis Owen said S4C cuts could amount to £1.5m a year for five years.

"Is it reasonable in the situation of broadcasting in Welsh? I'm not sure," he told BBC Wales Y Sgwrs programme.

Responding to the deal to cover the cost of free TV licences for the over-75s, he said it was "unbelievable to me that a government can force the BBC - and BBC officials have agreed to this - to deliver social policy in reality".

He said: "That's what it is, rather than anything to do with broadcasting, as such."