New BBC cuts will hit not just jobs, but also the valued news content that the BBC provides, says Bectu

Responding to job losses in BBC News, Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

 “The planned restructure announced in BBC News today is very disappointing for everyone impacted. As has been the case with previous rounds of cuts, this comes as a result of a lower licence fee settlement and the savings the BBC needs to achieve.

“We will do everything we can to support our members affected and will fully engage with the BBC on the proposals. We will continue to push for headcount reductions to be achieved through voluntary means, while seeking to ensure workloads are manageable for those remaining.

“The BBC’s need to make savings is clear, but this latest round of cuts follows a worrying trend towards reducing services that provide critical, in-depth analysis. Central tenets of the BBC’s mission are to inform and educate; Bectu is concerned that in a world of fake news, disinformation and political turmoil, these cuts will hit not just jobs, but also reduce the breadth and range of news content that the BBC can provide and is known for.”