Strike warning over ITV News job cuts

30/09/2008

Plans to cut around 430 jobs at ITV News have prompted anger from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

ITV announced the move earlier today as part of the wider group's plans to deliver £40 million of annual savings in its regional news services in 2009.

In total ITV expects to reduce its numbers by around 1,000 by the end of February next year, with further cost-cutting exercises worth £35 million planned for 2010.

This represents 40 per cent of its regional news staff, who were informed of the development this morning. The NUJ is warning any attempt to force the cuts through without "meaningful negotiation" will be met with strong resistance.

Its national broadcasting organiser Paul McLaughlin said: "Unless ITV meaningfully engages with unions over its plans for the future of regional news, industrial action seems inevitable."

Mr McLaughlin warned the announcement reflects the "crisis" facing public service broadcasting.

He added: "Viewers will doubtless be asking how a regulator required by parliament to maintain and strengthen public service broadcasting is allowing this to happen."

For now, ITV remains determined to push through the changes. Its chief operating officer, John Cresswell, said: "We are committed to a self-help, self-funding, solution to securing ITV's future. In order to sustain our investment in UK content, we have to keep on top of our cost base."