Truro and Falmouth MP Sarah Newton has this week highlighted the impact of budget cuts on BBC Radio Cornwall.
As announced earlier this month BBC Radio Cornwall faces budget cuts as part of the BBC’s national restructuring of its services. These cuts could see Radio Cornwall reduce its broadcasting hours, potentially losing Cornish language programmes such as An Nowodhow, the Cornish language news bulletin.
Acting on the concerns of Radio Cornwall staff and worried listeners Mrs Newton has met with Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Ed Vaisey MP, and highlighted to him the value for money service Radio Cornwall currently provides, and the impact cuts will have on the station.
Mrs Newton drew Mr Vaisey’s attention in particular to the £16.1 million spent last year on Wales’ Radio Cymru, which reaches 146,000 people, compared to the £1.6m annual budget of Radio Cornwall, which reaches 142,000 people. Whilst BBC services in Wales are facing 5% cuts, those in the South West of England face cuts of 14%.
Mrs Newton has also written to the Director General of the BBC, Mark Thompson, requesting that he reconsider the proposed cuts to Radio Cornwall.
Commenting, Mrs Newton said:
“Like many Cornish residents, I very much value the services provided by Radio Cornwall. As well as the in-depth reporting of important local issues, the station plays an important role in supporting the growing resurgence of the Cornish language.
The cuts proposed to BBC Radio Cornwall are simply not fair.
I was pleased that Culture Minister Ed Vaisey MP promised to look at the disproportionate effect of BBC restructuring upon Radio Cornwall. While decisions on how the BBC will implement it’s cuts in spending will be made by the BBC, I want to ensure all those who could influence the BBC management understand the strength of feeling about the proposed cuts to BBC Cornwall. I hope that Mr Thompson will give similar consideration to this impact.”