The largest single job reduction in 15 years. BBC layoffs as part of 'austerity measures'

The British public broadcaster BBC will lay off up to 2,000 jobs. people, which constitutes almost 10 percent. all its employees and will be the largest single employment reduction in 15 years, British media reported on Wednesday.

According to the Financial Times, which was the first to write about the matter, the layoff plans were presented to the managers of individual organizational units on Wednesday morning, and all employees will be informed about it during a meeting of the entire team on Wednesday afternoon. The BBC employs 21,500 people in Great Britain. people.

According to “FT”, the layoff process is expected to start before Matt Brittin takes over as director general on May 18, who will join the BBC after many years of working in the British and later European branch of Google. Interim executive director Rhodri Talfan Davies is expected to announce the layoffs.

The job cuts are part of plans announced by the BBC in February to cut costs by around 10%. over the next three years, which amounts to approximately £500 million. As explained at the time, this was due to “significant financial pressures”. Last year, the BBC's total public service spending was over £4 billion.

The FT notes that the cuts at the BBC come at a time when the station is negotiating with the government regarding further funding from license fees. This year's license fee increase will be in line with inflation – from £174.50 to £180 a year – but revenue growth is expected to be partly reduced by a 1% fall. number of paying subscribers.

Last year, the BBC raised £3.8 billion from license fees paid by 23.8 million households, as well as a further £2 billion from commercial activities and subsidies. (PAP)

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