Job cuts planned at the BBC

That this House expresses concerns at the BBC’s plans to cut 10% of its cost base, resulting in 1,800 and 2,000 job losses, about one in 10, across various departments; notes reports that cuts could reach 15% across BBC News, which remains the most trusted source of news in the UK; further notes the latest plans follow previous rounds of cuts that have led to reduced programming, loss of experience, unmanageable workloads, poor morale, and fewer opportunities for freelances and career progression; agrees with the National Union of Journalists that successive cuts risk severely undermining the BBC’s ability to provide quality journalism and programming that informs, educates, and entertains; notes the Secretary of State's recognition of the BBC's value as a public service akin to the NHS; calls on the Government to provide urgent intervention to maintain jobs, quality news and programming; and further calls on the Government to expedite the opportunity afforded by the Charter Renewal process to guarantee the long-term financial sustainability of the broadcaster to protect the interests of workers and audiences alike.