[Spencer]

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.

[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...

[ConorW2000]

Not related directly to the strike but might have some impact on the plans to cut local radio, but the two year freeze on the licence fee increase is ending next year, so it would mean that the Licence fee itself would go from 159 pounds to 172 pounds, which would give the BBC an additional 300m in revenue in 2024-25.

[Brekkie]

Although that revenue is already swallowed up by inflation and years of not having inflation related rises. Ultimately it's going up just over £1 a month which compares favourably with the commercial sector - but of course the usual suspects are already trying to get that rise scrapped.

[Steve in Pudsey]

It does feel like the local radio cuts could be reversed should the funding situation change. Which may happen if the political wind changes - we're not that far off a General Election.

[ConorW2000]

It does feel like the local radio cuts could be reversed should the funding situation change. Which may happen if the political wind changes - we're not that far off a General Election.

We are only 18 months away from one as well.

I can see the BBC perhaps looking at other options or end up having to revise their plans.

[Will]

Another 24 hour strike from midnight on the 5th of May. Expect this one to have a much bigger impact as it will coincide with the local election results.

www.nuj.org.uk 

Second BBC strike over cuts to radio will coincide with local elections
BBC journalists in England have announced a second 24-hour strike from midnight …
  Source: www.nuj.org.uk

[Andrew]

You’d think it might not be acceptable to just throw the towel in this time and management should try and pull together some kind of bulletin

Considering it’s a Friday and the next occasion to talk about the local election results at length would be the following Tuesday

[Steve in Pudsey]

That could have an impact on the network TV coverage of the elections, as they tend to use contributions from regional political editors quite heavily.

[Kojak]

Oh well. I'm sure Stephen Cole, Susan Osman and Akhtar Khan can put something together between them.