15 April 2023 , 22:44
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The BBC has sent redundancy letters to some of their most high profile talent - with newsreaders Huw Edwards, Reeta Chakrabarti, Clive Myrie and Sophie Raworth all being asked if they want to walk off into the sunset.
Top talent have been given the chance to take voluntary redundancy - but viewers would no doubt notice a giant hole in the talent wall if all accepted the offers.
Reports state the Beeb is taking steps to try and save costs - and has sent letters to their senior TV and radio presenters to consider walking away from their jobs.
The offer has been dished out by Philippa Busby, the interim managing editor of news and current affairs, and sent to stars of BBC1 and Radio 4.
Huw Edwards has reportedly been sent a voluntary redundancy letter (BBC)The Mail on Sunday broke the news, sharing details of the alleged letter sent by Ms Busby.
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They report that the letter states: “As you will be aware, in 2022 we announced a number of changes across BBC News which have meant that some colleagues have been placed at risk of redundancy, including some colleagues in presenter roles.”
The letter goes on to propose staff who “would like to consider potentially leaving the BBC under voluntary redundancy” to arrange a meeting with Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Tim Burden.
While a source in the newsroom told the publication: “The email is addressed to all senior news presenters and presenters on the band immediately below. Everyone got it on the same day.
Reeta Chakrabarti has also received a letter, according to reports (BBC)“Senior figures in TV news, including Huw Edwards, Sophie Raworth, Clive Myrie and Reeta Chakrabarti, have received the letter. It's also been sent to the main presenters on Radio 4's Today programme.”
When asked for comment by The Mirror, the BBC confirmed the news - but tried to downplay the dramatic headlines that the news has already generated.
A spokesperson said: “This isn’t about any new job cuts - it’s a standard HR exercise relating to savings we’ve announced previously - and it’s not targeting any individuals; we have to send it to everyone who’s at the same grade.
“We’re looking for expressions of interest in redundancy, not offering it, and it’s not the case that any or everyone who came forward would be accepted."
Sophie Rawforth has also reportedly received a letter (BBC)A source also told the Mirror that the letters proposing voluntary redundancy related to previously announced savings programmes across BBC News.
The source also said that the BBC took the step in an attempt to avoid enforced redundancies - with the letters of suggested voluntary redundancy being issued to those at risk of redundancy and to those of a similar level of seniority in order to give the corporation greater flexibility in terms of redistributing talent.