BBC Pushes Cost-Cutting Plan, Does Not Rule Out Forced Layoffs

(Central News Agency, London, 17th -综合 foreign media report) Matt Brittin, the newly appointed Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), told staff today that the BBC will cease broadcasting certain programs and may implement forced layoffs to achieve its previously announced goal of saving hundreds of millions of pounds.

According to Agence France-Presse, the former senior Google executive took over leadership of the BBC one month ago. He stated that the scale of the cost-cutting plan 'requires difficult decisions and careful planning, and cannot be achieved overnight.'

Earlier this year, the BBC announced plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs over the next three years in order to save £500 million from its annual budget of approximately £5 billion. This marks the BBC's largest workforce reduction since 2011.

The BBC's funding primarily comes from television license fee revenue, but this income has effectively shrunk by about a quarter since 2017, placing severe cost pressure on the organization.

The BBC claims that approximately 94% of UK adults use its services each month. However, in recent years, the broadcaster has been plagued by a series of controversies and scandals, undermining public trust.

In an internal memo to staff, Brittin stated that all departments within the BBC's vast operational structure 'will undergo significant cost reductions.'

He pointed out that around 550 positions will be eliminated in the news, local, and content divisions to meet the target of saving £160 million by the end of the current fiscal year.

Additionally, the corporate administrative department will cut around 700 positions, and senior leadership roles will be reduced by at least 10%.

Brittin said: 'Actions of this scale inevitably mean there will be some forced layoffs, although we will make every effort to avoid this situation.' He added that increasing numbers of voluntary departure schemes are being opened.

He further stated: 'We must also cease broadcasting some programs.' As the BBC strives to become 'leaner and more agile,' it will prioritize 'content with the highest audience value and impact.'

Davison, General Secretary of the UK's National Union of Journalists (NUJ), urged the BBC to change course, describing the planned layoffs as 'devastating.'

She said: 'Now is not the time for the BBC to turn away from its public service commitments and its core missions of informing, educating, and entertaining.' (Translation: Liu Shuqin) 1150617