ITV five year plan attacked

BECTU has condemned ITV's plan to cut its regional news services from 17 flagship programmes to a "nine region structure".

The union believes this marks a further significant and damaging step by ITV away from its public service broadcasting commitments.

BECTU Supervisory Official Sharon Elliott commented: "Today's announcement is another kick in the shins for ITV's regional news staff who work long and hard to produce good quality output that regional audiences appreciate".

BECTU has also questioned ITV's strategy and timing in making its five year plan announcement in the same week that Ofcom issued its initial framework document for the regulator's forthcoming public service broadcasting (PSB) review.

"ITV is clearly trying to bounce Ofcom into accepting its proposals before the regulator's review has even begun.

"Our experience of Ofcom's first PSB review was that it was insufficiently critical of ITV's proposals for regional news at that time. I hope that we don't see a repeat of Ofcom cast in the mould of the 'dog that does not bark'," said Elliott.

"The earlier PSB review, which concluded in 2003, was supposed to sustain PSB on ITV for the long term.

"The reality is that more than 100 ITV jobs were lost as a result of that exercise alone, and numerous changes since 2003 have meant more job losses, weakening the output.

"And where are we at the start of the second review? Facing more swingeing cuts with the questionable promise that this will deliver more certainty for staff," she concluded.

ITV would not be drawn on what their proposals mean for the 1045 people currently employed by ITV News Group but, after examining the figures released today, BECTU estimates that spending on news will be cut from roughly £90m to between £50-60m, which it is safe to assume will threaten hundreds of workers' jobs.

BECTU will be looking to Ofcom to ensure that any changes approved as a result of the review are not made prematurely, are rigorously examined, and are made in the public interest.

The union is also demanding that the ITV board make an immediate commitment to continuing to provide regional news post digital switchover. Without that commitment, the union believes, staff trust in ITV's management will be less that complete.