Alun Cairns: "Our independent TV producers are a great Welsh success story"
Wales Office minister to give keynote speech on the importance of the creative industries across Wales.
Wales Office minister Alun Cairns will today (27 November) give the keynote speech at the AGM of TAC (Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru), the trade association for Welsh-language television producers, which is being held at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.
Mr Cairns will also visit the filming of S4C’s acclaimed series Y Gwyll/ Hinterland to see the industry at work.
In his address to TAC, Mr Cairns will acknowledge the enormous importance of the creative industries in Wales, an industry which employs around 50,000 in the country and one which is making a real impact on the recovery of the economy in Wales.
He will also speak about the UK Government’s ongoing support for S4C – the broadcaster this year received £6.8m from central government - and its commitment to the Welsh language in general.
Mr Cairns said:
Our independent producers are a great Welsh success story, creating jobs and opportunities for thousands of people in Wales.
I want them to continue promoting their excellent work and help grow the sector - which already has an annual turnover of £1 billion - to boost the Welsh economy.
Iestyn Garlick, Chair of TAC, said:
TAC is very pleased to welcome Mr Cairns to our AGM, as a demonstration of the Government’s support of the independent TV production sector in Wales.
The sector is one of the key drivers of the economy in Wales both now and for the future. TAC will continue to work hard to work with all those who can help to further the development of the Welsh creative economy.
Mr Cairns will be concentrating further on the country’s creative industries and witnessing its work at the coalface when he attends the filming of S4C’s most recent big hit Y Gwyll/Hinterland today.
S4C’s Chief Executive Ian Jones said:
It’s a pleasure to welcome the Minister to see the ongoing work on Y Gwyll/Hinterland. The UK Government’s continued financial commitment and support for S4C is of great importance to us.
Their support enables us to continue to take creative risks and invest in projects such as Y Gwyll/Hinterland which has given a new international profile to Wales.
It is projects like this which help us maximise the economic impact of S4C’s work – providing jobs and investment in communities throughout Wales.
As we look forward to the next gripping instalment of Y Gwyll/Hinterland on S4C on New Year’s Day, we are very proud to be able to show-off the wonderful work going on here in Ceredigion, and on other productions throughout Wales.