Scottish Greens defend BBC Scotland jobs
The Scottish Government must intervene over BBC plans to transfer its Glasgow studio to a London-based subsidiary company, the Scottish Greens have said.
The party’s culture spokesperson Ross Greer raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions after warnings from the BECTU trade union that dozens of the 150 jobs directly employed by the BBC’s two Glasgow-based studios could be at risk.
Staff have been informed that redundancies would be on the table and it emerged earlier today that senior BBC Scotland executives are opposed to the proposal. [1]
Commenting afterwards, Ross Greer said:
“There are absolutely no advantages to the studios at BBC Scotland’s HQ being transferred to a London-based subsidiary company. Dozens of jobs are now at unnecessary risk and there is widespread concern across the Scottish film & TV industry that their access to the studio space could be restricted, as those decisions will be taken from London. Even BBC Scotland’s own executives oppose this move.
“I welcome the First Minister’s support and agreement to work with the Scottish Greens and BECTU staff union to protect these jobs and the BBC’s role in the wider Scottish screen sector.”