London, 23 July 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Britain's BBC has announced it is to cut 500 jobs as it attempts to save £200 million to drive the "transformation" of the corporation.

Chief operating adviser Leigh Tavaziva said it is making the changes to improve its premium video offering and digital capabilities.

It comes as the BBC is already attempting to save £500 million as part of a plan announced two years ago.

Tavaziva said "significant activity" is already under way to make the corporation "more flexible."

"In March this year we announced a requirement for an additional £200 million of savings and reinvestment plans to drive the continued transformation of the BBC," she added.

"This will support greater investment into premium video content and further develop our digital capabilities."

"To further build our digital capabilities, whilst targeting efficiencies, over the next two years we will continue to close and transfer roles in some areas and create new roles in growth areas," Tavaziva explained.

"This will result in a forecast net reduction of 500 roles in the public service by March 26, with further growth in targeted areas planned in our commercial group."

"To support these changes we will today be launching a new voluntary redundancy scheme for staff.Our priority remains to protect and champion the BBC's fighting role as the UK's public service broadcaster, for all our audiences both local and global."

"I would like to thank all colleagues for their continued efforts and commitments over the past 12 months," she said. "I am immensely proud of the exceptional content creativity, delivery, and innovation that our teams both provide and support every day."

MIA file photo