[interestednovice]

With the weekday changes it effectively means that during the day the non-simulcast/merged news will be from 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm.  It's probably wishful thinking but it would be great if they could have a news presenter/reporter provide a UK opt-out service on the News Channel during those hours.

Costs are reduced with increased simulcasting of extended BBC One output, as theoretically the BBC NC does have a presenter on “standby” in case there is a need for a UK opt. However, this presenter will not be needed if there is already a UK-exclusive programme on air. So even if they do nothing else, the opt standby presenter will now have slightly shorter hours.

The simulcast output makes use of BBC One budget too, of course, so it is dirt cheap UK content to put on the NC.

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Am I right in thinking that the relocation of the BBC News at One to Salford is to help meet "out of London" production quotas, which will be reduced due to the axing of Doctors, which is made in Birmingham?

Probably not really, as the BBC over-deliver on those quotas anyway.