Central News jobs under threat

ITV Central news in Birmingham has announced that 61 of its 130 jobs are under threat because of cuts to its regional news services.

It follows last week's announcement that under a restructuring plan, the broadcaster plans to cut its newsrooms around the UK from 17 to nine.

It could lead to the news service offering a single programme for the whole of the East and West Midlands.

Unions have criticised the plans and warned of possible industrial action.

ITV News is planning to cut 430 jobs in its regional news service across the UK, as part of wider plans to reduce costs as advertising revenue slows.

Laura Davison, assistant broadcasting officer of the National Union of Journalists, said: "We do not accept the level of cuts ITV News wants to make and it is difficult to see how we can avoid a fight over this."