Union describes the BBC cuts as "appalling"

BECTU have said...


BBC staff will be left reeling at the announcement that senior management have accepted a freeze in the licence fee until 2017 at the same time as agreeing to fund BBC World Service and Welsh language channel, S4C, from these reduced resources, says BECTU. The changes, apparently agreed just today, are said to amount to a 16 per cent cut in the BBC's income, equivalent to some £550m. Only yesterday (18 October) there was speculation that the BBC was to be instructed by government to fund free licences for the over-75s. Commenting on today's announcement, BECTU general secretary, Gerry Morrissey said:

"BBC staff will be in a state of shock at the scale of today's announcements. We'll be seeking an urgent meeting with senior management to discuss the implications of this appalling news. From where we are standing, senior executives appear to have entered into negotiations on the hoof and the result will be largescale damage to the BBC's services with the Corporation taking the flak for badly judged government decisions."

Morrissey also told the Press Association: “It seems as if the BBC is now doing the government’s dirty work. They have thrown in the towel, so they will now have to justify the cuts to staff. How can you cut 16% off your costs without affecting jobs or services? Morale at the BBC is already at rock bottom, but now there is little or no confidence in the management.”

Bectu has also comdemned the decision to include responsibility for Welsh broadcaster S4C into the BBC's pot, saying it shows an “ignorance of Wales, and its people, and most importantly, of the importance of democracy and plurality in Wales”. Bectu national official, David Donovan, said: “[Culture minister Jeremy Hunt’s] statements and actions serve as a clear warning that Wales is set to be controlled once more by a political elite with no interest in its people, its culture or its language. At a fundamental level, the statements show scant regard for the democratic process. It is clear that everyone who is committed to public service broadcasting and to the language and culture of Wales has to prepare to defend these interests against this government’s actions.”