Opposition to BBC plans explained

BECTU will be explaining its opposition to BBC privatisation at meetings with the Culture Minister and MPs.

At the meetings the union is aiming to convince decision-makers that the plan to privatise BBC Resources Limited, and 49% of BBC Worldwide, is bad news for both for Licence payers and Corporation staff. The proposals have been made by The Future Funding of the BBC report, produced by the panel chaired by Gavyn Davies.

On 24 November BECTU will meet with Chris Smith, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to present further arguments to support its written submission. Also involved in the meeting will be representatives from the Federation of Entertainment Unions, which as well as BECTU includes the NUJ, Equity (representing actors), the Musicians Union, and the Writers Guild of Great Britain.

On 2 December the union will also be appearing before the House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, chaired by Gerald Kaufman.

The union has also briefed MPs on the All Party Committee on Broadcasting.

MPs have been signing Parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM) 989, tabled at the beginning of November, which criticises the proposed sell-offs. BECTU members are being asked to contact their MPs and urge them to add their signatures to the list.

Gerald Kaufman's committee is due to set out its view on The Future Funding of the BBC report at the end of this year, and Secretary of State Chris Smith is expected to make his position clear in early January 2000.