A DECISION by the BBC to axe its Daily Politics show to make way for a new programme, cutting costs by £1.9million, has been criticised by the SNP.
The move was announced as part of changes to the broadcaster’s political and parliamentary output from the end of this month. MP Hannah Bardell, a former television journalist and the SNP’s culture and media spokeswoman, said: “Frontline journalism needs investment not cuts.”
Bardell also raised concerns over whether the developments could lead to job losses in Scotland and whether the nation would be less prominently featured on the network.
The BBC said there would be no job losses north of the Border, and that Scotland Editor Sarah Smith would continue to “bring comp-rehensive and insightful coverage of stories from Scotland for network news outlets”.
Daily Politics, screened on BBC2 and which first aired in 2003, will be replaced by Politics Live, which will be broadcast from Monday to Friday. The new programme will be presented four days a week by Jo Coburn, who currently co-hosts Daily Politics with Andrew Neil. Neil will host a special extended programme on Wednesdays that will include Prime Minister’s Questions.
Politics Live has been billed as “a fast-moving, conversational show,” featuring political interviews, discussion and video content “designed to be shared digitally”.
Neil said: “In turbulent political times, Politics Live will bring energy and intelligence to reporting politics.”
Sunday Politics, hosted by Smith shortly after The Andrew Marr Show will not be broadcast after July. Instead, there will be a new half-hour standalone Sunday Politics programme for each of the nations and English regions.
Gavin Allen, controller of daily programmes, said “given the need for BBC News to make substantial savings” it no longer made sense “to run two national UK politics programmes in close succession” on the same day and channel”.
BBC Parliament will still broadcast live and replayed coverage of Westminster and the devolved parliaments, but to save money it will stop making bespoke programmes and will not air when the Parliaments and assemblies are not sitting. The Andrew Marr Show and This Week on BBC1 will continue.
A BBC Scotland spokesman said: “There will be no job losses in BBC Scotland as a result and, as the announcement makes clear, there will be a half hour standalone Sunday Politics programme which will replace the opts in the network programme.
“Scotland Editor Sarah Smith will continue to bring comprehensive and insightful coverage of stories from Scotland for network news outlets.”
He said plans for an integrated news hour on the new Scottish channel were progressing and would significantly enhance the news offering.
Some 80 new posts in Scotland would be created, he added.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel