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.