The National Union of Journalists and MPs are increasing their pressure on the BBC over local news cuts.
In a response to Prolific North’s story with BBC Director of Nations’ Rhodri Talfan Davies, the East Yorkshire Branch of the NUJ said:
“Once again for those at the back… there WILL BE staffing cuts. Jobs are going. We have members at risk who might not get a job in the new set up. 800 at risk across BBC Local Radio. Oh- and “some opposition ?!” Just listeners, staff, MPs, councillors etc
“Perhaps Rhodri should’ve been in some of the heated staff meetings in BBC Local Radio stations yesterday. Nobody is averse to change & BBC Local staff have been doing digital work for years but are often hampered by the BBC’s own processes. This is unnecessary cultural vandalism.”
Once again for those at the back… there WILL BE staffing cuts. Jobs are going. We have members at risk who might not get a job in the new set up. 800 at risk across BBC Local Radio. Oh- and “some opposition ?!” Just listeners, staff, MPs, councillors etchttps://t.co/2wUYUABTdB
— NUJ East Yorkshire (@NUJEastYorks) April 27, 2023
Meanwhile Hull North MP, Dame Diana Johnson spoke in House of Commons, to say that Radio Humberside “is essentially being trashed.”
My @DCMS question in the @HouseofCommons today expressing anger at BBC management plans to slash local radio services – including at @RadioHumberside. pic.twitter.com/TneIhMmWPQ — Diana Johnson DBE MP (@DianaJohnsonMP) April 27, 2023
Culture Minister, Julia Lopez responded to say she would “get some heads wobbling” at the BBC as she said the cuts were “regretful.”
The BBC is making cuts to local radio as part of its efforts to find savings in the wake of the licence fee agreement.
Initial figures said that 139 jobs would be lost across its radio output, however the BBC said that it was creating new positions, which would mean the net job losses would be “less than 50.”
It was also planning to reduce some regional output and merge programmes at certain times into other regional or national programming.
The decision has led to ongoing industrial action by BBC staff, which has led to the disruption to local radio and some regional television bulletins.
The BBC has denied claims made by Dame Diana Johnson that staff were subject to “gagging clauses.” The corporation said they were “supporting staff and working closely with them through this process.”
Last month, the BBC revealed that as a resut of the “economic environment, including exceptionally high inflation in the industry” rather than having to make annual savings of £285m by the end of the Charter in 2027/28 it would now be £400m.
