Fears over BBC licence fee deal impact on Wales

Apart from news and sport there is little English-language TV output for Wales, politicians claim

An "alarming and undemocratic" BBC licence fee deal puts TV and radio for Wales in "serious jeopardy", the Welsh government and AMs have said.

Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems said they were "extremely concerned" not to be consulted by UK ministers.

They want assurances that the bill for free TV licences for over-75s will not lead to programme and service cuts.

The BBC said its priority had been to secure "the best deal for licence fee payers".

The statement from the Welsh government and AMs pointed out that BBC Cymru Wales and S4C had already seen funding cut by around a third in recent years.

It was signed by three of the four party leaders in the assembly, with Conservative group leader Andrew RT Davies the exception.

"The Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales expects the BBC to stand by its own recent public statements that the deal announced this week between itself and the UK Government will be cash neutral for the BBC and will not affect services," the statement said.

"It is disappointing that aside from news and sport, BBC Wales is only able to offer an hour a week of English language programming, made in Wales, for Welsh audiences.

"Any funding cuts now will further limit BBC Wales' ability to meet the needs of its viewers and listeners."

S4C has won praise for programmes such as crime drama Y Gwyll (Hinterland)

The statement added: "S4C is now funded mainly through the BBC and so any cuts will also impact on the Welsh language channel and the continued success of the Welsh language itself.

"The future of broadcasting in Wales is now in serious jeopardy, and poses serious risks to both the Welsh language and our economy."

Ministers and AMs said they expected to be "fully involved" in discussions over the new BBC Charter to be agreed in 2017.

The BBC statement read: "We have been clear that whilst the process could have been improved our priority was to get the best deal for licence fee payers.

"The BBC delivers high quality programmes and services for £2.80 a week, with audiences in Wales able to view popular English language shows that are enjoyed across the UK, including Doctor Who, The Game and Casualty which are all made in Wales while the new Six Nations deal means the BBC will show all of Wales' home games for the next six years.

"As well as news, current affairs and politics tailored for Wales, there are a number of programmes across TV, radio and online made especially for Welsh audiences, including Wales Today, Week In Week Out and Scrum V."