BBC's Thompson prepares to axe more than 2,000 jobs

by Ben Bold, Brand Republic 09-Oct-07, 08:45

LONDON - Mark Thompson, the BBC director-general, is set to announce more than 2,000 job cuts, 12% of the corporation's workforce. The cuts are in addition to thousands more revealed in 2005.

Thompson, according to a report in the Financial Times, is due to disclose the details of his six-year plan on October 18, outlining to staff his vision for the BBC over the next six years. In 2005, Thompson announced 3,780 jobs were to go across the corporation.

His latest plans include slashing the BBC's £3bn annual budget by 6% over the next five years. This is in response to a below-inflation licence fee settlement, which left him with £2bn less than he was after for the period.

BBC management are believed to have opposed pressure to cut costs by shutting down new services, such as digital channels BBC Three, and instead favour cutting established services.

According to the FT, a person familiar with the situation said that the number of job casualties could reach 2,800. The brunt of job losses is predicted to be borne by staff working in factual programming.

However, when he addresses staff, Thompson is expected to reassure staff that he will limit the number of job losses by moving people into new roles within the organisation.

Thompson's budget-cutting proposals will have to be ratified by the BBC Trust the day before he makes his presentation to the BBC workforce. He will also outline his plans to workers unions Bectu and the National Union of Journalists.

The BBC Trust meeting is also set to discuss Will Wyatt's report into the so-called 'Queengate' furore, over misleadingly-edited footage of the Queen for a BBC One documentary.

Last week, Peter Fincham, the BBC One controller, fell on his sword over the controversy. According to a report in today's The Daily Telegraph, despite pressure yesterday from MPs demanding his boss Jana Bennett's resignation, Thompson personally intervened to save her job.

Last month, Sir Michael Lyons, the BBC Trust chairman, signalled sweeping changes at the corporation by saying that the BBC must make annual savings of 3%, focusing on the quality rather than quantity of programming.

The BBC's factual programming is highly lauded and includes programmes 'Planet Earth' and 'Panorama'.

Comments

Keith Geddes - 09/10/2007

I want to know what WE.. the Licence payer are paying for. The BBC is being sold off bit by bit, I thought it was ours as we pay for it? How come? Wheres OUR money going.. paying Mr. Thompson to cut everything.. ?? Budget.. who sets it, the government, I ask again, wheres out money going? Collected by Capita.. are they `adminning` everything? Why? Said who? Not me.. I just paid £135.50.. by LAW.. what for? Only the BBC.. I dont listen to radio.. DAB has a bad name for efficiency so far.. the BBC still thinks its superioir.. why is it even competing for viewing figures when the charter doesnt mention it? Something is twisted. Come on.. sense?