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BBC Mark Thompson Scottish Government

BBC director-general promises to review Scottish staffing reductions if public concerned about drop in quality

By Hamish Mackay

May 30, 2012 | 2 min read

Outgoing BBC director-general Mark Thompson has said proposed job cuts at the corporation should not affect coverage of major stories such as the Scottish independence referendum and could even be reviewed should the public show concern over a drop in standards.

Thompson's made the comments while speaking to Scottish Parliament's culture committee ahead of broadcaster shedding up to 120 posts at BBC Scotland by 2017 in a bid to reduce its budget by 16% and save £16.1m.

According to BBC News report, under questioning from the cross-party committee yesterday, Thompson said: "The most important thing of all is making sure that the programmes and services we offer the Scottish public are as good as they possibly can be.

"I think it's completely reasonable to say, if we can make productivity savings and if we can adjust the way we spend money and still deliver as good or better services, we should do that.

"As we make our changes, quarter by quarter, we'll ask the public for their view about the services. If we think that anything we're doing is leading to a diminution in quality, we will have to sit back and think again."

Thompson also underlined his view that the referendum was 'a massive Scottish event' as well as for the UK, which he added was "of immense interest and importance," and would "very substantial" resources to cover internationally.

"It will be one of the largest domestic stories the BBC has covered in recent years and will be properly resourced," he promised.

BBC Mark Thompson Scottish Government

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