Fiona Hyslop raises BBC cuts fears

CULTURE secretary Fiona Hyslop is to meet BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie to raise concerns about the potential impact of proposed budget cuts.

BBC Scotland could cut up to 120 jobs by 2017 as part of a drive to reduce its budget by about £16 million.

Hyslop said she was “deeply concerned” about the BBC’s proposals and the potential impact of the cuts on Scotland.

She said: “In my meeting with Ken MacQuarrie, I will be seeking assurances that viewers and listeners will still be able to enjoy the same quality of news and programming from BBC Scotland.

“These proposed job losses and programming cutbacks are a blow to our media industry and creative industries sector as a whole, although it is encouraging that the BBC remains committed to meeting its target for television network spend in Scotland.”

She said that BBC Scotland’s baseline budget is being slashed to £86 million per year as a result of the UK government’s licence fee agreement, which she said falls far short of the £300m annual contribution of licence fee payers north of the border.

Out of the posts that could potentially go during the next few years, 30 jobs could be in news and current affairs, which employs about 230 people, while between five and eight posts could be lost from the Gaelic department.

About 30 jobs will also go from operations and support areas, and about 35 posts from craft and production teams.