We are extremely concerned by the damage these cuts will cause to the careers of writers working in broadcast, and the devastating impact this will have on the future of the creative industries.

After years of uncertainty around opportunities for writers across the BBC’s services, these cuts are the latest blow to an already under-resourced industry in a year of charter renewal.

The committee of the Society of Authors’ Scriptwriters Group, which represents SoA members working across TV, film and audio, said:

“These cuts will have catastrophic consequences on the future of the BBC’s creative output, with the loss of areas key to the development of new writers and new writing. The BBC will lose its standing as a beacon of excellence in broadcasting, particularly in the culturally significant area of drama.

“Storytelling has always been a cornerstone of the BBC’s communication to the world. It is among the many things for which it is admired and loved globally. To choke it at source would be a terrible mistake, culturally, socially and politically.”

The pernicious savings measures were announced by the BBC’s new Director General Matt Brittin to deliver £160 million of savings by the end of the financial year and 1,800-2,000 job cuts over the next three years, including compulsory redundancies.

With further details to come, proposals include a reduction of 100-150 hours of originated programmes across all genres by the end of the 2027-28 financial year and a reduction of around 350-400 hours in audio across stations and genres.

If you are an SoA member and have been, or are likely to be, affected by these cuts the SoA would like to hear from you. Please contact the Scriptwriters Group co-coordinator Theo Jones (tjones@societyofauthors.org).