Hands: BBC cutbacks strike HF hard

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BBC is the largest employer in the borough just ahead of the Council

This week, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr Greg Hands, has expressed concern at the announcement of cutbacks at the BBC, which is the largest employer in Hammersmith & Fulham, just ahead of the Council.

With 2,900 jobs to be axed and 1,800 employees to be moved from the Shepherds Bush based Television Centre to new facilities in Manchester, Greg believes these cutbacks will lead to even greater uncertainty for Hammersmith & Fulham. A great many BBC staff choose to live in the Borough.

Hammersmith & Fulham already suffers from high unemployment, with the latest Office of London Government figures placing local unemployment at 8.6 per cent. This compares to a London average of 7% and a nationwide average of 5.1%.

Commenting, Greg said: “Whilst we must ensure the BBC provides good value for money to the license payer, I cannot help but be concerned about the effect of such massive cutbacks on the local community in Hammersmith & Fulham.

“Under this Labour Government, we already have a very high rate of unemployment – and with so many BBC staff living within Hammersmith & Fulham, these moves can only push that figure up.

“The decisions taken this week will be personal tragedies for many Hammersmith & Fulham families.”

 

December 11, 2004