Welsh language campaigners have threatened to start a 'direct action' campaign against the UK government over proposed cuts to S4C.In an open letter to Jeremy Hunt, UK Culture Secretary, the Chair of Welsh-language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg Menna Machreth says that the organisation plans follow similar non-violent tactics to those adopted in the fight to establish the channel.The campaigners also state that they "reject entirely your decision to drastically cut our public services, following an economic crisis caused banks and the financial markets, not ordinary people".In their letter, the language campaigners state:"Your intention to make savage cuts to S4C's budget is a clear threat to the Welsh language... We, in Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, will not accept cuts to S4C, and note that the broadcaster's budget is protected in law. No MP who votes for changing the law to cut S4C's budget, which is an investment in the language and our communities, deserves the support of friends of the Welsh-language either. ""We consider your proposal a discriminatory act against the Welsh language, especially at a time when you are making every effort to increase and protect the profits of other broadcasters."

"Your plans are also a clear economic threat: people will lose their jobs in many parts of Wales and it will be a massive blow to the economy in areas where S4C's investment is critical. Creative industries, of which S4C is a major part, represent between 22,000 and 30,000 jobs in Wales and contribute up to £ 500 million to our economic output.""As a result, we want to notify you that we will be campaigning against the budget cuts to S4C. Perhaps you are not aware that the channel was established following national pressure from all directions, including non-violent direct action: a number of people were imprisoned to ensure that the government at the time kept their promise to establish a Welsh language channel for Wales. The people of Wales will not give in to the government's cuts lightly, we will campaign in the same way against your government if you continue with these unjust plans."The letter also criticises the Leader of the Conservatives in Wales Nick Bourne and Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillian:"For months, we have requested a meeting with Secretary of State for Wales without receiving a response. Furthermore, the Leader of the Conservatives in Wales, Nick Bourne, told us in May this year that you remained committed to the current levels of S4C funding. In April, in response to our letter to Cheryl Gillan MP, he said: 'As you know we have strongly supported S4C in the past and we will in future...we are totally committed to the funding of S4C as in the past.'"