// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
BBC Wales cuts risk 'irreversible deterioration', warns first minister
The cuts in Wales are part of the corporation's wider £500m savings plan
The first minister has warned of an "irreversible deterioration" in the way the BBC covers Wales, if the corporation proceeds with cuts as planned.
The warning comes in a letter to BBC director-general Matt Brittin, which has been seen by BBC Wales.
The letter also claims that the changes could lead to the BBC being in breach of its public service obligations under its Royal Charter.
In reply, Brittin told First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth that the BBC takes its obligations to Wales "extremely seriously".
In September BBC Wales announced 58 job cuts as well as a 20-hour annual cut in TV programming as part of UK-wide plans to save £500m.
The letter is signed jointly by ap Iorwerth and the Welsh government's Culture Minister Heledd Fychan.
It has also been sent to the UK government's Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, as well as Rhuanedd Richards - who was appointed Director, BBC Nations on Tuesday.
Ap Iorwerth and Fychan wrote: "It is important that we convey our concerns that if the proposed changes are implemented, they will lead to an irreversible deterioration in the way in which the BBC serves the people of Wales.
"These cuts will have major implications for the delivery of the cultural and economic objectives for which the Welsh government is responsible, especially given our desire as a government to work towards strengthening public service media platforms in Wales."