[Matrix]

Yeah, if they banned freelancers from reapplying for their jobs, I think they must've broken a labour law?

Many BBC jobs are advertised as open to internal applicants only. It’s pretty standard practice in many large organisations unfortunately and perfectly legal.

Not only is it consistent with employment law, such as it is, but there is actually a case that those on substantive contracts who *can* be matched to roles which are pretty much or as near as possible to their existing arrangements, should be deemed 'sitting tenants'. Freelance staff, by virtue of their role, have a much looser relationship with the employer. 

The fact that management have encouraged freelance contracts for years is another subject...