Boomerang Cuts Will Damage Welsh Creative Economy

One of the largest independent production companies in Wales proposes 20 redundancies following S4C cuts.
Boomerang, currently employing 200 people, is cutting 20 staff as a direct response to S4C cuts.
Madoc Roberts, Branch Steward of BECTU’s South Wales Freelance Branch said: “This is a massive cut and a blow not just to the workers who will lose their jobs, but to the creative sector in Wales and the audiences. This cut represents 40% of the relevant staff within Boomerang – but many more creative industries freelancers and other small businesses will suffer as a result.
It is hugely ironic that the redundancy announcement comes on the same day as S4C chairman Huw Jones has spoken about an optimistic future for S4C. He has done nothing to fight against the cuts. He is a hypocrite and should resign.”
BECTU General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said: “We have warned that this would happen for a long time. These are the hidden cost of the cuts. It is not just affecting the staff directly employed by broadcasters – it is crippling the creative economy in the nations and regions. BECTU has been campaigning to protect the independence of S4C and this is particularly a body-blow to Welsh language broadcasting.
"These twenty jobs are the tip of the iceberg. During an economic downturn, we should be boosting the knowledge and entertainment economies – not slashing them. This is a cull of valuable skills representing years of investment. Our members have worked hard to help build the local economy in Wales and this decision pours all of that down the drain.”
(BMcN)