Radio Shropshire shows at risk amid budget cuts
A number of shows on Radio Shropshire could be axed as part of the BBC's plans to cut 20 per cent from its budget over the next five years. A number of shows on Radio Shropshire could be axed as part of the BBC's plans to cut 20 per cent from its budget over the next five years. The station, which has offices in Shrewsbury and Telford, will lose 20 per cent of its workforce as 8.5 jobs are axed. Today a BBC spokesman said there would be more programme-sharing for local radio outside peak hours, including the creation of an all-evening England programme. He added: "The shows currently likely to be affected by these proposals are Ian Perry's Early Morning Show, 5am to 6am; Colin Young's Lunchtime Show, noon to 3pm; Paul Shuttleworth's Sunday lunchtime show, 1pm to 3pm; and specialist evening shows such as folk, jazz, country, the Trunk of Funk and the Jim Hawkins Rock Show, on Saturdays 6pm to 9pm. [24link]
A number of shows on Radio Shropshire could be axed as part of the BBC's plans to cut 20 per cent from its budget over the next five years.
The station, which has offices in Shrewsbury and Telford, will lose 20 per cent of its workforce as 8.5 jobs are axed.
Today a BBC spokesman said there would be more programme-sharing for local radio outside peak hours, including the creation of an all-evening England programme.
He said: "These proposals protect BBC local radio peak-time programmes when the audience is highest and the output is the most distinctive. That is breakfast, mid-morning and drive-time programmes, plus sport and faith on Sunday mornings.
"The shows currently likely to be affected by these proposals are Ian Perry's Early Morning Show, 5am to 6am; Colin Young's Lunchtime Show, noon to 3pm; Paul Shuttleworth's Sunday lunchtime show, 1pm to 3pm; and specialist evening shows such as folk, jazz, country, the Trunk of Funk and the Jim Hawkins Rock Show, on Saturdays 6pm to 9pm.
"The proposals are subject to consultation by the BBC Trust, but the proposal is to implement the changes by April 2013."
It comes after the BBC announced it would cut 2,000 jobs, sell offices and show more repeats in a bid to cut 20 per cent from its budget. The news has met a mixed reaction.
Union leaders for BBC Radio Shropshire have said they will meet staff today to talk about the cuts, which they say will damage the BBC if they go ahead.
Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said local journalism needed to be protected.
He said: "The BBC is an obese organisations which needs to go on a diet. Like other parts of the public and private sector, it needs to live within its means and stay within budget. However, it should start with the BBC's very large property portfolio and the sky-high salaries of some of its so called celebrities whilst protecting local news-gathering and reporting."
Under the proposals, factual programming will leave Birmingham and go to Cardiff as the organisation hopes to save £670 million a year by 2016/17.
By Jason Lavan
