The BBC's news division is set to bear the brunt of the corporation's cost-cutting plan, with staff warned of a 15% reduction in costs, significantly higher than the 10% target across the BBC. The cuts are part of a £600m savings plan that could see up to 2,000 jobs lost, the biggest downsizing in 15 years.
Richard Burgess, director of news and content, told staff in a video meeting that the entire news division would need to make cuts of around 15%, with job losses a major focus. The BBC spent £324m on news and current affairs in the year to March 2025, with most of that on wages.
The cuts come as Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, takes over as director general on 18 May, following the resignation of Tim Davie amid bias claims and a lawsuit from Donald Trump over an edited speech. Staff across the BBC are being informed of the level of cuts, with details due in June and those affected told in September.
Burgess said that while the 10% target applies across the BBC, some areas cannot be cut, forcing deeper reductions in others. In news, the 15% figure is consistent across most areas. Speculation among staff includes a shift to mobile journalism kits to replace expensive satellite vehicles, and consolidation of local radio shows into network broadcasts, as seen in commercial radio.
The BBC has already reduced travel by 40% and tightened spending on consultants and events. Staff briefings have also raised the possibility of higher-paid employees sharing the burden through restructuring and pay cuts. The BBC's public service arm employed 237 senior leaders earning between £100,000 and over £350,000 last year, and spent £140m on on-air roles.
