BBC outlines plan to cut NI jobs

BBC NI Controller Peter Johnston said the BBC will be smaller in future

BBC Northern Ireland is to shed about 100 jobs over the next five years in a bid to reduce costs.

About 670 people are employed at the corporation's Belfast and Foyle bases and the cuts are likely to be across a range of posts.

The cost cutting has been forced by the lower than expected licence fee settlement.

However, some new investment is anticipated which should offset about a quarter of the job losses.

BBC NI Controller Peter Johnston said he believed the future would entail a "smaller BBC which would provide the best value for audiences".

"There is a balance of economies and investment and as always there will be a downside which will involve the closure of posts.

"We are committed where possible to achieving these through a combination of voluntary redundancy and the retraining and redeployments of staff to new opportunities and vacancies.''