BBC job cuts will leave Highlands ‘poorly covered’ - MP

POLITICIANS have expressed fears over the effect on news coverage in the Highlands and Islands by “disproportionate” cuts planned by BBC Scotland.

Two of the four senior broadcast journalist posts at the Inverness HQ, which covers Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute and the Western Isles, are understood to be facing the axe.

In total BBC Scotland is looking to cut 35 jobs throughout the country, 17 of them journalist posts, in a bid to save £16million by 2016.

Highland and Islands SNP MSP, John Finnie, is calling on the Scottish Government to intervene and has tabled a question for next week’s First Minister’s Questions. He is also seeking a Members Business Debate on the issue.

Mr Finnie said: “Whilst two posts may seem a small number, at 50 per cent of the existing staff it is disproportionate in terms of other regional news rooms across Scotland and in terms of the vast area covered by the BBC Highlands and Islands Service.

“The local news coverage and local opt out service based in Inverness is vital, not only for public information and news coverage but also for holding Politicians and local organisation to account on the issues that effect the region.

“I hope to raise this issue at next weeks First Ministers Questions and to host a debate on this matter in the Scottish Parliament in the near future to raise concerns about these job cuts and to ask the Scottish Government to put pressure on BBC Scotland to have a rethink.”

His concerns are echoed by Angus MacNeil, SNP MP for the Western Isles, and former Lib-Dem leader Charles Kennedy, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber.

Mr MacNeil said: “I am flabbergasted that an area the size of Wales is to lose half to three quarters of its BBC reporting staff.

“I wonder if there will be anywhere else in the world as poorly covered by the BBC English language service as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.”

And Mr Kennedy said: “Next week, when the Commons returns, I shall be inviting my regional parliamentary colleagues to table an early day motion – one which highlights not only the local and Scottish implications, but equally the diminution which such severe and unjustified cuts would mean for our place on the UK national news agenda.”

A total of 35 posts are to be cut across Scotland by March next year to help make £16.1million savings by 2016.

Others facing the axe include a senior broadcast journalist post at the BBC’s Aberdeen or Dundee office and two in Gaelic.

Ken MacQuarrie, BBC Scotland director, said: “We don’t underestimate how hard it is to achieve these savings plans and how difficult it is for those facing the prospect of losing their jobs.

“We would, however, like to underline our track record of success in delivering great content to our audiences and of significant investment in BBC Scotland over recent years.”