Last push against BBC privatisation

Time is running out for union members hoping to lobby their MPs over the sale of BBC Resources and BBC Worldwide.

BECTU has issued a final call for members across the union, and staff throughout the BBC, to contact MPs before October 31, when public consultation on the Corporation's future funding comes to an end.

Read licence briefing 2

Members have been asked either to write to their MPs, or to visit them at routine constituency surgeries, outlining the dangers of privatisation for staff and licence-payers.

During the Autumn period, MPs have received letters from BECTU and other BBC unions explaining the problems posed by the possible privatisation of BBC Resources Ltd, and 49% of BBC Worldwide. All the main political party conferences have also been lobbied.

The union believes that the partial privatisation of the BBC, proposed in the Gavyn Davies report on the licence fee, is bad news for licence payers, staff, and the future of TV programme-making in the UK.

14 October 1999