BBC job cuts looming, staff look to strike

[BGonaSTICK]

Hundreds of jobs are believed to be under threat as the BBC readies itself for another round of redundancies.

Reports suggest that staff numbers in the BBC's 2,000-strong news team are to be cut back, with the online news team also being reduced.

Earlier this year, BBC News teams were considering a 24-hour strike over management's plans for compulsory redundancies. Around 3,800 staff across the corporation have already been part of a voluntary redundancy programme.

Following the voluntary redundancy of three staff, the nine remaining members of the soon-to-be closed BBC children's education unit are to ballot for strike action against their compulsory redundancies.

The potential job losses come as part of a decision to create a new department of news, factual and learning, which will bring Blue Peter, Newsround and educational programmes under one group.