BBC shake-up to mean job losses 




BBC director general Mark Thompson will announce an overhaul of the corporation on Tuesday leading to the loss of thousands of jobs.

About 2,900 jobs are expected to go, mainly from administration departments.

Mr Thompson is expected to say the cuts are needed so that more of the licence fee can be put into programmes.

Almost 2,000 workers are expected to move from London to Manchester during the next five years, to make the BBC more reflective of UK audiences.

The departments expected to be hardest hit by the cutbacks are human resources, training, finances and legal services.

They are expected to lose about 2,500 jobs from a total workforce of 6,500.

Another 400 jobs are set to be cut at the corporation's factual and learning departments.

The BBC currently employs about 27,000 people.

Mr Thompson told staff last month: "The support services are an important part of the organisation.

"But if we can, we have to find ways of reducing the support to put more into programmes."

The BBC believes it can save hundreds of millions of pounds as a result of the cuts, which will be effective over a three-year period.

They are expected to include a 15% reduction across all content departments.

Focus on excellence

BBC departments including Children's TV and radio, Sport and Radio Five Live are set to face the move to Manchester, although it could take up to five years to complete.

There are not expected to be any redundancies announced on Tuesday in news, but job losses are expected in departments including news in March 2005.

The director general will tell staff the focus of the BBC must be excellent programmes and content.

News and current affairs, comedy, drama and music are to be highlighted as key priorities for the broadcaster.


The announcements come as the BBC seeks to renew its charter in 2007.

The charter sets out the BBC's role, structure and funding.

Mr Thompson has said the licence fee will only survive as the main method of funding the BBC if the public is convinced that the corporation is spending money wisely.

The director general will deliver to staff the conclusions of four reviews - which included value for money and programme production - that have taken place at the BBC over the last few months.

Union leaders warned they would "ballot for industrial action" if any of the redundancies are compulsory.

Possible redundancies

They are concerned that there could be several hundred compulsory job cuts but have pledged to fight any moves to force workers to leave the corporation or relocate against their will.

Gerry Morrissey, assistant general secretary of the broadcasting workers' union Bectu, said he hoped the BBC would put more money into production, technical skills and news as part of its review.

Mr Morrissey added it was "not a very happy Christmas" for staff who were facing redundancies or having their jobs relocated or outsourced.

Mr Thompson was appointed as director general of the BBC in March, succeeding Greg Dyke who resigned in the wake of the Hutton Report.

His time in charge has been marked with a period of change as the corporation works towards securing its future in the digital age.

On the day he took charge at the BBC, he said: "We're going to have to change the BBC more rapidly and radically over the next three to five years than at any previous point in its history." 

Posted: Tue - December 7, 2004 at 10:44 AM        

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