BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest downsize for 15 years

The BBC will cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of its biggest downsize in 15 years, according to reports.

Staff were told of the news of redundancies during an all-staff call at 3pm on Wednesday but were not given details of who would be affected.

The cuts would mark the biggest round of job cuts at the BBC in almost 15 years.

They come as the broadcaster attempts to reduce costs by 10% over the next three years.

In February, it was revealed it aimed to reduce spending by hundreds of millions of pounds within this timeframe as it continues to face "substantial financial pressures".

The latest cuts, originally reported by the Financial Times, come as former Google boss, Matt Brittin, prepares to take over as director-general next month.

The BBC also recently revealed plans to drastically reduce the team behind the coverage of national occasions such as royal and state events.

Interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, who led the all-staff meeting and will head the corporation until Mr Brittin takes over on May 18, told staff the corporation needs to save an additional £500m over the next two years.

He said: "All of this needs to be done with real care - for our audiences and, of course, for all of you.

"I know this is challenging news, and we'll need to work closely together to build our plans.

"My commitment to you is that we'll do everything possible to try to reduce the strain and uncertainty that change of this kind brings."

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Previously, the BBC has said: "Over the last three years we have delivered more than a half a billion pounds worth of savings, much of which we've been able to reinvest into our output across the BBC."

The BBC is predominantly funded through the annual licence fee, which rose to £180 per year on 1 April.

Philippa Childs, head of broadcasting union Bectu, said: "Cuts of this magnitude will be devastating for the workforce and to the BBC as a whole.

"BBC staff are already under significant pressure after previous redundancies. This will also inevitably impact the wider creative industries ecosystem, given the BBC's crucial anchor role in commissioning content and nurturing talent.

"At a time of fake news and an industry that is becoming more concentrated in the hands of a few multinational corporations, the UK needs a confident, ambitious and sustainably-funded BBC more than ever.

"The Government must ensure that Charter Renewal puts the BBC's funding on a more secure, long-term pathway and prevent our national broadcaster facing death by a thousand cuts."

Sky News has approached the BBC for a response.

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