BBC to axe 900 jobs

BBC director general Greg Dyke today announced the corporation will aim to save £130 million pounds a year over the next three years as part of his One BBC review of operational efficiencies launched in April.

The shake-up could see as many as 900 jobs being axed at the BBC, mainly in support services. Last week, the corporation revealed that up to 200 jobs will be lost through the changes made to BBC Resources Ltd and the creation of BBC Technology Ltd.

Taken together, this will give the BBC an extra £750 million over the next six years (the length of the Charter period), making significant progress towards the £1.1 billion revenue growth target set by the government.

Dyke said: "I asked the directors of the new divisions to think radically and come up with structures that will help the BBC deliver better programmes and services, but to look also at how we could do it more efficiently.

"Their responses have been fast and have already stimulated action. Most importantly, they will help us put in place a robust structure that will help the BBC operate in a more dynamic, creative way.

"The extra money we plan to spend on programmes and services will come from three main areas – job losses; additional commercial revenue; and smarter buying and simpler processes."