ITV Factual closure condemned

BECTU has condemned the decision by ITV Granada to close the Factual Department in Manchester.

This will result in the loss of the 26 jobs. A thirty day consultation period has begun and the company are intent on progressing the redundancies but they are unlikely to take effect before Christmas.

Assistant General Secretary Luke Crawley said: “It is disappointing but hardly a surprise that ITV are withdrawing from another area of programme making.

“It was only last year that the Factual Department at Yorkshire TV in Leeds was closed.

“Taken together with the cuts being imposed on Local News across the ITV network means we are seeing retrenchment and the loss of valuable programme makers from outside London.”

BECTU believes that up to a dozen members will be affected and will be attending further meetings to protect their interests.