BBC STAFF CHALLENGE BRITTIN OVER JUNIOR JOB CUTS

Matt Brittin, the BBC's director general, faced repeated criticism from staff during an all-staff call over claims that frontline workers are losing their jobs while senior management is spared, according to questions raised at the meeting. Brittin acknowledged the BBC was "going to be smaller" but said it could still have a bigger impact, telling staff the corporation needed to be "a bit more Elvis – a little less conversation, a little more action". He also outlined a possible overhaul of the iPlayer platform, including AI-assisted recommendations, saying he wanted the public to think "iPlayer and chill". The call came as the BBC continues to roll out details of a plan to cut up to 2,000 jobs. Anna Foster, the Radio 4 Today programme presenter who hosted the meeting, said staff felt the cuts were "landing on people who are more junior, and less so on people in managerial roles".

One staff member described the BBC as "an incredibly top-heavy organisation" and said "all the 'doers' are getting cut", while another questioner referenced reporting on low morale at the corporation and asked how executives planned to address it during what they called a financial crisis. Staff also raised the decision to withdraw a promise of jobs made to a cohort of BBC apprentices, who are now facing redundancy. Another questioner said they did not want to hear about savings "when bosses get huge salaries". Brittin disputed that morale was a widespread problem, saying he did not underestimate the impact of uncertainty on staff but did not believe it reflected the experience of everyone at the corporation.

Brittin said the BBC had "a really powerful, motivated staff" who remained "energetic and proud to work here" despite the uncertainty. The exchange followed earlier reporting on low morale within the organisation. No figures were given during the call on how senior leadership numbers compare with cuts to junior roles. The BBC has not set out further detail on the timetable for the remaining job losses within the wider 2,000-role reduction.