HUNDREDS of BBC programme-making staff will lose their jobs under restructuring plans, bosses at the corporation revealed yesterday.

BBC Studios, which produces popular shows including Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who, said 300 jobs would be axed and staff would instead be hired under a temporary project-based model.

This will bring the BBC in line with the rest of the “flexible” television industry, according to BBC Studios.

All of the areas in the department are affected, but the biggest impact will be in England and on jobs including editorial and production management.

The BBC said it had already saved £1.6 billion, but that more savings needed to be made, regardless of whether or not BBC Studios, currently a division of the corporation, is turned into a wholly owned subsidiary next April.

Broadcasting union Bectu said that reductions in government and licence fee funding had led to the cuts.

General secretary Gerry Morrissey said: “We have been expecting this announcement because of the poor licence fee settlement and ongoing efficiency savings.

“However, we are worried that this may be the beginning of the cuts, as the BBC starts the process of putting all its programmes out to competition.”

BBC Studios director Mark Linsey said that the changes would make the department “competitive.”

But Mr Morrissey said Bectu would seek assurances from management that the redundancies — affecting factual, drama, comedy, entertainment, events and music programmes — would be on a voluntary basis.

The BBC does “not appreciate” its programme-making staff and therefore risks losing its most talented and creative workers while the broadcaster is being “dismantled,” he added.