Following comments by a minister in the House of Commons today, language campaigners have said that they are still expecting to hear by how much the Government’s grant to S4C will increase next year.

There was a clear pledge in the Conservatives' 2015 manifesto to "safeguard the funding and editorial independence of S4C" over the five-year term of Parliament. And, in the Chancellor's Autumn statement yesterday, it was announced that the culture department's budget is to increase by £65 million over the next five years.

During the current financial year, the UK Government contributed £6.7 million to S4C in a grant from the culture department.

Carl Morris said:

"We look forward to hearing by how much the Government grant to S4C will increase next year, and hopefully we will hear soon. Our only Welsh language channel is not only crucial for our language, but also an important part of our economy. The Chancellor has announced that the culture department of the Government is to see a budget increase, and there is a clear commitment in the Conservative manifesto to protect the grant. There should be an announcement soon that confirms that S4C, as one of the pillars of Wales’ cultures, will benefit from this through an increase in its grant."