BBC News to axe education editor role in cost-cutting move

The BBC will no longer have a dedicated education editor as part of a cost-cutting drive in which 100 jobs are to go across BBC News under a plan that school leaders described as 'deeply regrettable'.

BBC staff have been told that the roles of education editor and social affairs editor are to be combined into a single position as part of a round of changes that will save £5.5m.

Editorial Changes

In a message to staff seen by the Guardian, Richard Burgess, the director of news content, said he was proposing the change after a review of on-air editor roles. He said the review looked at 'audience demand, editorial requirements and how we ensure these roles remain relevant in a changing news environment'.

There will also be no health editor title at the BBC when the current incumbent, Hugh Pym, leaves in the spring. That job will be incorporated into the role of medical editor, currently held by Fergus Walsh.

These are difficult decisions, but I have given the changes careful consideration, taking into account levels of audience interest and editorial demand, as well as how we can work as efficiently as possible across the department.

Industry Reaction

Prominent unions and campaigners are saying the reform will dilute scrutiny of two specialisms that are too important to go without a dedicated BBC role. School leaders and teaching unions questioned the move.

James Bowen, the assistant general secretary at the school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'This would be a deeply regrettable move by our national broadcaster, which plays a vital role in shining a light on important issues affecting the education sector and holding the government and Department for Education to account.'

Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the National Education Union, said the move would 'diminish the public's understanding of education matters in this country'. Matt Wrack, the general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, emphasized the need for strong public interest reporting amid rising child poverty, crumbling buildings, teacher shortages and major funding cuts.

Digital Shift

Burgess said that alongside the editor role changes, the job requirements of on-air editors would be reviewed to place 'greater emphasis' on making an impact on social media and digital platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.

The BBC is making renewed efforts to boost its presence on those platforms as it attempts to reach younger audiences who are increasingly using the sites for news. A BBC spokesperson said: 'The BBC remains committed to covering education, and will continue to do so both at editor level, and with its team of expert reporters and producers.'