Welsh Government has “ignored the financial concerns of the National Library of Wales” says Plaid Cymru

Petition to protect Library funds reaches 10,000 signatures

The Welsh Government has ignored the financial concerns of the National Library of Wales, Plaid Cymru has said.

Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for Culture Sian Gwenllian MS has called on the Welsh Government to reconsider its latest budget and to set aside proper funding to safeguard the National Library of Wales, reiterating calls from an online Senedd petition which has gathered more than 10,000 signatures.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Culture, Sian Gwenllian MS said,

“The Welsh Government has ignored the financial concerns of the National Library of Wales which is clearly reflected in the lack of funding set aside for the Library in the latest budget.

“The Deputy Minister for Culture has failed to accept recommendations to increase funding made by the Tailored Review of the National Library.

“On behalf of Plaid Cymru, I have challenged the Government to provide adequate support to the Library on three separate occasions in the Senedd during November and December, but to no avail.

“The National Library has already restructured in recent years and lost 90 staff. It now faces the prospect of losing 30 further members of staff, which would threaten the highly important work the Library carries out. 

“The Library is a fundamental part of the cultural, educational and historic life of Wales and the Welsh Government must urgently set aside proper funding in order to safeguard it.”