Thousands of BBC staff are expected to be moved out of London
(Picture: PA)Thousands more BBC staff and programmes are to be moved outside London in a bid to make the broadcaster more representative of the nation.
Director-general Tim Davie was due to brief 22,000 employees at the BBC today about the broadcaster’s plan to move journalists out of the capital, according the Times.
The plans are part of the BBC’s “Across the UK” initiative, which aims to improve how communities in the west of England, the West Midlands and Scotland are represented by the public broadcaster.
Viewers will see a “noticeable shift in portrayal of different parts of the UK in drama, comedy and factual” shows, said the BBC.
News and current affairs programmes like Newsnight will be presented from different UK bases throughout the year.
Radio 4’s Today programme will be co-presented from outside London for at least 100 episodes a year. PM will also be presented from across the UK.
Mr Davie said: “Our mission must be to deliver for the whole of the UK and ensure every household gets value from the BBC. These plans will get us closer to audiences, create jobs and investment, and develop and nurture new talent.
“Over the last year, the BBC - which has been an essential part of the UK’s culture, democracy and creativity for almost a century - has helped inform, educate and entertain all four Nations, as we have collectively faced some of our toughest moments in recent history.
“Now, as we look to the future, we must play our part in supporting social and economic recovery; rebuilding the creative sector and telling the stories that need to be heard from all corners of the UK.”
By 2027/28, the BBC said it will spend at least an extra £700 million cumulatively across the UK.
In radio, Newsbeat and Asian Network will be based in Birmingham, while Radio 3 and 6 Music will be “rooted in Salford”.
More performances from the Proms, which sparked controversy last year over an initial decision to play Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory without lyrics, will be broadcast outside London.
Around 400 roles – around half of those in BBC News – will be relocated outside London.
The BBC previously moved hundreds of staff and a number of services to Salford, affecting Children’s, Sport, and 5 Live.
The broadcaster said its property estate in London would be reduced.
It comes as the broadcaster warned that it might need to make “difficult choices” that impact its programmes and services if the corporation was forced to tighten its belt further.
A report revealed in February that the BBC had seen a 30 per cent real-term reduction in its income in the last decade.
Mr Davie said at the time: “The BBC has made big changes to ensure we provide outstanding value. We are smarter spenders and savers and more efficient than ever before, but there is more to do.”
“The financial challenges and competition we face continue to evolve and while we have demonstrated we can deliver, I want us to adapt and reform further to safeguard the outstanding programmes and services that our audiences love for the future.”
Last summer about 10 per cent of the TV newsroom, mostly young producers on short-term contracts and freelance staff, including a long-serving cameraman, were told they would no longer be required.
