First Minister Vaughan Gething defends cuts to Wales' national museums

• Vaughan Gething discussed the Welsh Government's funding of Museum Wales at his first press conference as first minister.

First Minister Vaughan Gething has defended Welsh Government cuts to Wales' national museums amid worries its base in Cardiff could be forced to close due to the condition of the building.

At his first press conference as first minister, Mr Gething said funding the NHS is his government's main priority despite Museum Wales saying it expects to axe 90 jobs after a cut in their funding.

Mr Gething told a press conference in Ebbw Vale: "Real choices have to be made about what we're not going to do."

It comes after Museum Wales chief executive Jane Richardson spoke with BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement programme, revealing the organisation is facing a £4.5million reduction in its budget, which is set by the Welsh Government, who themselves are cutting spending in most portfolios.

Museum Wales controls seven sites across the country, including St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff and Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon.

It has had a £3m reduction in its grant, but it said that because it continues to incur a year-on-year deficit of £1.5m, it had to address a total deficit of £4.5m by the end of March.

Asked about whether development was a good look for Wales, First Minister Vaughan Gething said: "I would much rather we have the money we require to deliver excellent public services and to support the growth in the economy. That's what I want to be able to do now and in the future.

"For me to have priorities now, we're going to have to make choices on what we're going to do.

"We're well past the point where being more innovative gets you over the line. We're at a point where real choices have to be made about what we're not going to do.

"I'd like to see a future where the National Museum can do the work required on the building and continues to provide an excellent service.

"That requires different choices about how we grow the economy across Wales and how that wealth is shared fairly across the country.

"I'm hopeful we will have a reset to those relationships and in addition to the priorities for Wales in the coming months."

The most iconic site in Museum Wales' control, National Museum Cardiff, could be forced to close due to cost cuts and the building falling into disrepair.

It is currently home to one of the most recognisable paintings in the world, Van Gogh's self-portrait, which is on loan to the museum as part of an exhibition about the history of selfies.

Ms Richardson said: "Unless we're able to secure more funding for that building that will have to close.

"When you have water coming through and failing electrics, there is a question hanging over the future of that building anyway.

"We would obviously then be looking at where else we could have a presence in Cardiff, and, you know, there'll be all sorts of conversations about how we did that.

"But we are really clear as an organisation that that building needs urgent critical work for us to be able to continue opening to the public."

There are also fears that around 90 jobs could be axed as a cost-cutting measure.

Ms Richardson said: "If we were to get further cuts on that scale, I would need to be very honest with government and with all our stakeholders that we could not continue to run as the size of museum we are now.

"We would have to look at our buildings.

"I always said that to get to the kind of number that we needed to we would be looking at at least 90 jobs and that has proven to be the case, but we're still not at a total figure yet."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "Our arm’s length bodies have worked at pace to assess the impact of their budget allocation.

"We are grateful to them for the important work they do and the benefits that work provides to the people of Wales.

"We are in discussions about the National Museum Cardiff.

"We have been clear our budget is up to £700m less in real terms than when it was set in 2021 and we have had to take extremely difficult decisions."

Tom Giffard MS, Welsh Conservatives' shadow minister for culture, tourism and sport, said: "This news is concerning not just for the individuals who will be impacted, but for all of us.

"Disproportionate funding cuts are putting the preservation of our shared heritage at risk, while the Labour Welsh Government prioritises money for more politicians.

"The Labour Welsh Government should scrap its vanity projects and use those funds to protect our cultural history."

Heledd Fychan MS, Plaid Cymru spokesperson for culture, said: "The Labour Welsh Government just don’t get culture.

"While they’re happy to pose for a picture outside one of Wales’ national museums or benefit from invites to exhibits, the reality is that 25 years of Labour rule has seen our culture and heritage institutions cut to the bone.

"As a result, we’re now seeing job losses, museums potentially closing, and national collections at risk.

"Despite ample warnings from the sector, the Labour Welsh Government choose to look the other way every single time and even defend their actions.

"The irony is that while Starmer pleads that a UK Labour Government will end the war on culture – their track record in Wales says the opposite.

"The new cabinet secretary for culture must fully grasp the seriousness of the situation and take urgent action to safeguard our national collections, and the workforce that cares for them.

"A country so rich in its history, heritage and culture cannot risk losing its national memory."

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