The BBC is facing a TV and radio blackout next month if backroom staff vote for strike action after a dispute over the sale of the corporation's technology division escalated.

BBC News is facing a renewed threat of strike action after executives decided to go ahead with compulsory redundancies.

The BBC insisted today it will not defer the upcoming compulsory redundancies despite the threat of strike action from broadcasting unions.

The BBC's live coverage of the state opening of parliament next Wednesday faces disruption from a 24-hour strike by TV news technicians.

The BBC's coverage of Wimbledon and Royal Ascot could be hit by strikes this summer after a decision by union officials today to ballot BBC staff on industrial action unless changes to the corporation's pension scheme are reversed.

The BBC is bracing itself for a strike after staff voted for industrial action in protest at 4,000 proposed job losses.