BBC Scottish orchestra to escape axe after review

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has escaped the axe after a review of the BBC’s six classical performing groups in the UK rejected closing any of them and warned cuts of 20 per cent “would not be achievable”.

A new plan for the BBC’s performing groups will involve savings of up to 10 per cent, partly by sharing back office functions, particularly among the London orchestras, and “modifying” the number of contracted staff.

But expected savings from the BBC SSO could be closer to 4 per cent, BBC sources said. The orchestra’s contingent of 76 musicians will not be reduced, although some full-time contracts will shift to 85 per cent, through agreement with those seeking to reduce hours, or sign new contracts.

The author and analyst, John Myerscough, was commissioned to evaluate the BBC’s performing groups. They are the BBC Concert Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Singers and BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC SSO.