MSPs voice concerns over BBC Scotland job cuts

Published on Thursday 4 December 2008 10:23

CONCERNS about the impact of job losses at BBC Scotland were raised today by a Scottish Government minister.

It emerged yesterday that further staff cuts are to be made by the broadcaster.

And culture minister Linda Fabiani has now raised fears that these could impact on programmes.

Ms Fabiani was one of a number of politicians who spoke about the job losses in a Holyrood debate on broadcasting.

She said: "We heard just yesterday that BBC Scotland intends cutting even more jobs."

The minister added: "Many in this chamber and beyond will understandably be concerned about both jobs and programming."

Ms Fabiani also used her speech to restate calls for the new Gaelic language channel BBC Alba to be broadcast on the Freeview network, so more people could access it.

She said the channel was an example of the demand for Scottish programming.

Ms Fabiani told MSPs: "We need look no further for an example of the desire for quality programming than BBC Alba.

"Its success since its launch in September shows that there is an appetite for quality Scottish content as the new channel secured viewing figures of 600,000 in its first week.

"As raised in the Parliament before, right round this chamber, I would urge the BBC Trust to give the channel Freeview carriage so it can reach all of Scotland and reach its potential."

Tory MSP Ted Brocklebank opened the debate by raising concerns that Scotland could suffer if extra funds were not invested in a "healthy, competitive" service, alongside the BBC.

The former TV executive said he was delighted that the BBC had promised to "mend its ways" and allocate an increased share of network production to Scotland.

He also praised the broadcaster's new BBC Alba service.

But he added: "However, it is deeply concerning to hear that BBC Scotland is to shed another 74 broadcasting jobs – that's on top of the 100 made redundant last year."

Mr Brocklebank went on to warn that public service broadcasting in commercial TV was under threat.

He said Scotland's interests could be damaged if ITV chief executive Michael Grade acquires a single UK licence.

He continued: "Michael Grade is arguing that ITV subsidises the three independent licences to the tune of 25 million a year – a charge STV refutes – but there are understandable fears that a nationwide ITV could actually compete head to head with STV in Scotland.

"So, in the turbulent, ever-changing world of broadcasting should we care if our main commercial channel goes to the wall? I believe this Parliament should be extremely concerned."

Mr Brocklebank called on broadcasting regulator Ofcom to support STV, or a successor, taking on a public service remit for Scotland – including the Border region.

He also repeated support for local and city TV stations, which he said had proved successful in Spain, America, Canada and New Zealand.

Liberal Democrat MSP Iain Smith underlined the need for choice in broadcasting.

"Nowhere is this more important than in Scotland, where devolution has increased the need for public access to impartial and accurate factual broadcasting about public life in Scotland," he said.

"Unfortunately this is a time when increasing commercial or financial pressures on the broadcasters has seen investment in news and current affairs decline.

"I echo the concerns expressed by Ted Brocklebank about the additional cuts in jobs at BBC Scotland and the impact that may have on the quality of broadcasting produced across Scotland by Scotland."

He added his support to calls for a "vibrant and viable" commercial sector, providing competition to the BBC.

Mr Smith said: "I feel it is only a matter of time before STV bows to the inevitable and falls under the wheels of this ITV plc juggernaut and there's one ITV franchise for the whole of the United Kingdom."

Labour's Pauline McNeill also echoed concerns expressed by Ms Fabiani and others about jobs going at BBC Scotland.

She said: "I do want to take this opportunity to support what the minister has already said about the challenges in the industry and the announcement yesterday of the loss of more jobs at BBC Scotland."

Ms McNeill said that the BBC had an important role to play within broadcasting and she said: "I'm sure we will all continue to scrutinise the quality of output, because we do want to see that continue at the BBC."

The Labour MSP also spoke about the changes that were taking place within the broadcasting industry.

"We know that there has been a seismic shift in broadcasting," she said.

"The old regime which has existed for over 40 years was virtually based on a deal that came with a monopoly on TV advertising."

But Ms McNeill said that this year the internet search engine Google had made more money from advertising than television companies.

And she stated: "We can see how things have changed dramatically."

Ms McNeill added that while there were many challenges ahead for broadcasters, the digital era also brought many opportunities.