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Plans for BBC's future approved Plans for BBC's future approved
(about 4 hours later)
BBC director general Mark Thompson's plans for the corporation's future have been approved by its governing body.BBC director general Mark Thompson's plans for the corporation's future have been approved by its governing body.
The BBC Trust unanimously decided to give the go-ahead to the strategy for the next six years.The BBC Trust unanimously decided to give the go-ahead to the strategy for the next six years.
Up to 2,800 jobs are reportedly at risk as Mr Thompson attempts to deal with a £2bn budget shortfall caused by a smaller licence fee settlement.Up to 2,800 jobs are reportedly at risk as Mr Thompson attempts to deal with a £2bn budget shortfall caused by a smaller licence fee settlement.
The details of Mr Thompson's proposals will be made public and unveiled to BBC staff on Thursday.The details of Mr Thompson's proposals will be made public and unveiled to BBC staff on Thursday.
BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said the plans were "definitely in the best interests" of the corporation.BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said the plans were "definitely in the best interests" of the corporation.
"We are confident that the plans we have approved today will safeguard the core values of the BBC at a time of radical and accelerating change in technology, markets and audience expectations," he added."We are confident that the plans we have approved today will safeguard the core values of the BBC at a time of radical and accelerating change in technology, markets and audience expectations," he added.
'Devastating cuts'
The trust also backed "in principle" the sale of Television Centre, the corporation's studio and office complex in Shepherd's Bush, west London.The trust also backed "in principle" the sale of Television Centre, the corporation's studio and office complex in Shepherd's Bush, west London.
But it refused to confirm reports that it had approved proposals to place advertisements on the international pages of the BBC News website.
Some BBC staff and union activists gathered outside Broadcasting House in central London ahead of the meeting to express their concern about potential job losses.Some BBC staff and union activists gathered outside Broadcasting House in central London ahead of the meeting to express their concern about potential job losses.
'Devastating cuts' Some BBC staff gathered outside Broadcasting House
BBC News and factual TV - which makes programmes such as Planet Earth and Top Gear - are expected to bear the brunt of the job cuts.BBC News and factual TV - which makes programmes such as Planet Earth and Top Gear - are expected to bear the brunt of the job cuts.
BBC correspondent Nick Higham said he understood about 500 jobs would go in BBC News, largely by amalgamating the television, radio and online newsrooms.BBC correspondent Nick Higham said he understood about 500 jobs would go in BBC News, largely by amalgamating the television, radio and online newsrooms.
Some BBC staff gathered outside Broadcasting House
There would also be "considerable" savings in BBC television, in factual programmes, documentaries and children's programmes, while there would also be more repeats, he added.There would also be "considerable" savings in BBC television, in factual programmes, documentaries and children's programmes, while there would also be more repeats, he added.
Last week, some of Radio 4's most familiar voices, including newsreaders Charlotte Green and Peter Donaldson, joined the protest at the proposed cuts.Last week, some of Radio 4's most familiar voices, including newsreaders Charlotte Green and Peter Donaldson, joined the protest at the proposed cuts.
In a letter, published on the Guardian's website, 84 signatories warned of "extremely grave prospects" facing the radio newsroom, with "devastating cuts" that "seriously threaten the quality of the service we provide". 'Call for strikes'
In a letter published on the Guardian's website, 84 signatories warned of "extremely grave prospects" facing the radio newsroom, with "devastating cuts" that "seriously threaten the quality of the service we provide".
High-profile journalists like Jeremy Paxman and John Humphrys have also spoken out in recent months, prompting Sir Michael to urge staff to stay out of the public debate on the future of news and current affairs at the corporation.High-profile journalists like Jeremy Paxman and John Humphrys have also spoken out in recent months, prompting Sir Michael to urge staff to stay out of the public debate on the future of news and current affairs at the corporation.
'Increased workloads' ROAD TO THE BBC SHAKE-UP January - Government raises licence fee by 3%, less than the hoped for settlementMarch - Mark Thompson says BBC faces 'tough choices ahead' due to settlementMay - New trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons (pictured) says a debate about how the licence fee is used should be openedAugust - Sir Michael says the BBC may 'do less' to meet a budget shortfallOctober - Mark Thompson's strategy for the BBC's future is approved
Staff will be given details of the cuts at meetings on Thursday morning, and unions will meet later to decide their response.
Broadcasting union Bectu and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) are drawing up plans to fight an expected announcement which could spark a series of strikes in the run-up to Christmas.Broadcasting union Bectu and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) are drawing up plans to fight an expected announcement which could spark a series of strikes in the run-up to Christmas.
NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said cuts would lead to "compulsory redundancies and increased workloads".NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said cuts would lead to "compulsory redundancies and increased workloads".
Sir Michael has said there were "no protected areas" in the BBC He said: "It is an abdication of the trust's responsibility to rubber-stamp plans which will undermine quality and lead to the sacking of front line staff.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Above all these are cuts which will compromise quality, which can't be good for licence fee payers or staff." "It is inevitable anger will grow and calls for strike action get louder."
Mr Dear added that the £2bn budget shortfall could be tackled by looking at star names' salaries and cutting back on the use of consultants at the corporation.
The government announced in January that the BBC's licence fee would rise to £151.50 by 2012.The government announced in January that the BBC's licence fee would rise to £151.50 by 2012.
Mr Thompson said the settlement left a "gap" of about £2bn over the six years. The deal was less than the projected rate of inflation over the six years.Mr Thompson said the settlement left a "gap" of about £2bn over the six years. The deal was less than the projected rate of inflation over the six years.
The trust has already told Mr Thompson to make further efficiency savings of 3% each year.The trust has already told Mr Thompson to make further efficiency savings of 3% each year.
The director general has said the changes he will announce, under the banner of Creative Future, are designed to make the corporation competitive in a digital media environment.The director general has said the changes he will announce, under the banner of Creative Future, are designed to make the corporation competitive in a digital media environment.