The BBC's news division is set to bear the brunt of the corporation's cost-cutting drive, with staff warned to expect redundancies of around 15%, exceeding the BBC-wide target of 10%. The cuts are part of a £600m savings plan that could see up to 2,000 jobs lost across the public service broadcaster, marking its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
During a video meeting with about 300 BBC News staff, Richard Burgess, director of news and content, confirmed the division would face cuts of “around 15%”, with job losses a major focus. “Most of our savings are people, frankly,” he said, noting that the news budget is largely composed of staff costs. The BBC spent £324m on news and current affairs in the year to March 2025.
The cuts come as Matt Brittin, former Google executive, prepares to take over as director general on 18 May, following the resignation of Tim Davie amid bias claims and a legal dispute with Donald Trump over an edited speech. Staff across the BBC are being informed of departmental targets, with details due in June and affected employees notified in September.
Burgess indicated that management would examine all areas for savings, sparking speculation among employees about increased use of mobile journalism kits to replace expensive satellite vehicles and crews. In radio, there are fears that local services with small audiences could be consolidated into network-wide broadcasts, mirroring moves in commercial radio.
The BBC has already implemented measures such as a 40% reduction in travel and tighter spending on consultants and events. Staff briefings have repeatedly raised the question of higher-paid employees sharing the burden through restructuring and pay cuts. The BBC employed 237 senior leaders earning over £100,000 last year, and spent £140m on on-air roles.
