BBC defends plan to move Radio 2 shows from Birmingham

Dec 12 2007

THE BBC today defended cost-cutting plans which will lead to 16 posts at its Birmingham's Mailbox headquarters being relocated across the country.

The posts are being axed from Birmingham as part of a plan to relocate three Radio 2 shows from the Mailbox - Janice Long, Alex Lester and Mo Dutta.

A BBC spokesman said specialist shows on the country's most popular radio station would remain in Birmingham, and that Bob Harris would continue to run from the Mailbox.

The blow would also be softened by the creation of 36 posts as part of a plan to roll out 60 big screens across the country over the next five years. Many of these positions will be located in Birmingham, the spokesman added.

He said: "Some of the overnight shows will be moving to London, which will lead to seven posts from Radio 2 being relocated. But we will continue to produce specialist shows.

"Nine jobs from radio resources are also being relocated to Manchester and London."

The spokesman said that staff affected by the changes could chose to remain in Birmingham in new posts created at the Mailbox, where 740 BBC workers are based. Or they could chose to move to other BBC regional centres.

New positions in Birmingham will be created as part of a plan to set up 20 new big screens in towns and cities across the country in time for next year's Beijing Olympics.

A further 40 screens will be rolled out by 2012, and Birmingham will be the headquarters for the project.