ITV ends local news

Press Release for Immediate Use

ITV job cuts - numbers announced

30 September 2008

BECTU and the NUJ, recognised across ITV News, were notified today of the numbers ITV proposes to make redundant as part of cutting up to £40 million a year from its regional news budget. In total 429 permanent posts will be cut from the present headcount of 1075 staff, reducing the number by 40% to 646.

BECTU Assistant General Secretary Luke Crawley said: "This is a devastating blow to staff across the ITV regional news network and further demonstrates ITV's lack of commitment to public service broadcasting." Ofcom has failed in its duty to protect viewers from these savage cuts and in turn has also failed ITV staff in regulating for profit over quality public service broadcasting."

BECTU and the NUJ will attend a meeting with ITV senior management this Thursday (2 October) under a formal consultation period where it is hoped that through voluntary means and counter proposals the overall losses in terms of staff can be mitigated and compulsory redundancies avoided.

Luke Crawley added: "in defending our members we cannot rule out the possibility of industrial action."

Ends