RESTRUCTURING OF BBC MONITORING SERVICES

Early day motion 431, tabled 8 September 2016 by Helen Goodman (Labour). Signed by 15 members.

That this House notes that the BBC’s proposal to radically restructure Monitoring services at Caversham Park, Reading, is set to result in the loss of one in three of the workforce; further notes that the Monitoring service surveys the world’s broadcast and print media, selecting and, where necessary, translating reports from 150 countries in 100 languages; notes that such information is often invaluable for Government agencies, non-governmental organisations, universities, embassies, security groups, think-tanks and international businesses; notes that since 2010 the funding for the Monitoring service was transferred from the Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office to the BBC’s income from the licence fee; believes that as tensions between Russia and the West increase, and so-called ISIS spreads terror around the world, this work is of crucial importance to the nation; and therefore calls on BBC management to consult with representatives of the National Union of Journalists to minimise any redundancies and limit the damage caused to the service.

Signatures by party: Labour 6, DUP 3, Conservative 2, Scottish National Party 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.