BBC may reduce 10% of its headcount

BBC, the UK’s public broadcaster may cut around 2,000 jobs across departments, as a part of downsizing the company before the incoming of new Director-General Matt Brittin

As per a news source, employees are likely to be informed at an all-staff meeting that roughly one in ten roles may be impacted. Senior leadership has already been updated on the proposed changes. The BBC currently employs around 21,500 people across the UK.

Announced in February, the job cuts are a part of a broader strategy. This move is to reduce costs by approximately 10% over the next three years, which is equivalent to about £500 million (€507 million), amid mounting financial pressures. The broadcaster’s total public service expenditure exceeded £4 billion last year.

The move comes as the BBC remains in ongoing negotiations with the government over its future funding model, particularly the licence fee, ahead of the renewal of its royal charter in 2027. The incoming Director-General was scheduled to meet the Secretary of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the same day the cuts came to light.

The licence fee will increase in line with inflation this year, but this is expected to be partly offset by a 1 per cent decline in the number of payers.