THURSDAY - BBC JOB CUTS EXPECTED

BBC JOB CUTS EXPECTED

BBC director general Mark Thompson is to submit his proposals for the corporation's future later today, with a possible strike looming at the reported threat of job cuts.

In a presentation to the BBC Trust, the corporation's governing body, Mr Thompson will outline his plans for addressing the £2 billion licence fee shortfall caused by an unexpectedly low licence fee settlement.

While some 2,800 jobs are expected to be at risk - notably in the current affairs and factual departments - there are also suggestions that the Television Centre studio complex in Shepherd's Bush could be sold.

BBC staff have reacted angrily to the alleged plans to amalgamate the television, online and radio newsrooms, with some 84 signatories outlining their concerns in a letter published in the Guardian last week.

Radio 4 staff penned an open letter to BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons, urging him to think again before sanctioning a "devastating series of cutbacks which will seriously threaten the quality of the service we provide".

However, Sir Michael is unlikely to have been swayed by the letter, having already urged high-profile staff members such as Jeremy Paxman and John Humphrys to keep their complaints private.

The BBC Trust is to consider Mr Thompson's plans today, before informing staff on Thursday morning.

The National Union of Journalists and broadcasting union Bectu will meet to discuss their response, with a mass strike widely predicted.

A senior broadcaster told the Telegraph: "There will be a strike. That is definite. Some big programmes will go off the air."