BBC News cuts demonstrate need for over-75s licence fee to be handed back to government, says Bectu

The BBC has announced further changes to BBC News which follow on from planned changes announced in January.

It is now looking to make cut 520 jobs rather than 450. The BBC will look to use fewer studios and make reductions to operations stuff.

It has also proposed further changes to output including:

• Correspondents working across output rather than being ‘owned’ by individual programmes
• Greater focus on original journalism and ‘off-diary’ stories
• Politics Live returning to Monday to Thursday rather than five days a week. It has only been on Wednesday’s during lockdown.
• In Business on Radio 4 will close but The Bottom Line will continue as business output is further integrated  with the rest of the output.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “The BBC is facing an unprecedented funding crisis which must be urgently addressed by the government. During the pandemic it has responded and provided unparalleled coverage of events.

“BBC News has consistently reached over 64% of adults during the crisis, with millions more tuning into BBC Radio’s unique news and current affairs programming and accessing online coverage.

“Bectu members have contributed to the BBC being the most trusted and utilised news source in the UK. They now face losing their jobs. Bectu will work to hold management to account, seeking to minimise the reduction in roles, avoid compulsory redundancies and ensure redeployment opportunities.

“BBC News is one of the most trusted brands at home and abroad. In an era of fake news and during an unprecedented health crisis this trust in a public service broadcaster is critical. The government needs to take back responsibility for free licence fees for the over-75s, providing precious resources that would allow BBC News to continue to provide its  world leading range of news broadcasting.”