BBC to lay off hundreds more staff with financial deficit projected to nearly double next year

The BBC will lay off 500 more staff by March 2026 as its annual report paints a worrying financial picture including a near-doubling of its deficit to almost £500M ($646M).

BBC headcount has fallen by 2,000 — or 10% — over the past five years, the corporation said, and a further 500 net public service posts will go over the next 20 months. A voluntary redundancy scheme was launched today (July 23). Headcount this year sat at 17,611. “Over the course of the next two years, we will look to further move the money we have into the priority areas that provide real value for audiences,” the BBC said. “This means, in public service, we will close and transfer roles in some areas, and create roles in growth areas.”

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