The BBC has responded to claims that all staff in its local radio service are facing redundancy in the current cost-cutting shakeup of services.
The claims were made by two presenters from BBC Radio Humberside, which was among the first radio stations to receive a staff call to discuss the planned changes yesterday. Further calls around the country are planned all week.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC director of nations, says: “These proposals aim to maintain the distinctiveness of our local services while allowing the BBC to adapt with our audiences and ensure we remain relevant. Taken together they will ensure our network of local services – across tv, radio, online and Sounds – offer more value for audiences. Of course, real change is never easy – and we will work closely with all our colleagues to introduce these plans sensitively and fairly.
“BBC Local Radio remains an essential service for millions of listeners – the very best local radio network in the world – but it’s also essential we make difficult choices that will enable us to reach out to many people that increasingly rely on their mobiles for local content.”
The BBC added in a supplied briefing that it does not comment on internal HR issues, and reiterated that overall, BBC local staffing in England is expected to reduce by around 48 posts – this amounts to a total reduction of two percent.
The briefing went on:
“In Local Radio, we are introducing greater programme sharing in the afternoons and at weekends. To roll out these changes there will be a need for a different way of working and fewer presenters. To conduct this process fairly, there has to be a wider review. We will do our very best to mitigate any compulsory redundancies and there will be opportunities elsewhere, including additional news roles. These changes offer more journalism roles and opportunities for training and developing skills.”
