ALT Bectu has responded to the BBC’s decision to tell Gary Lineker to step back from Match of the Day. Philippa Childs, Head of Bectu, which represents thousands of BBC workers responding to the suspension of Gary Lineker, said: “This is a deeply concerning decision from the BBC. It will give the appearance that they have bowed to political pressure from ministers to take someone off air for disagreeing with the policies of the current government. “Taken with the ongoing controversy over the appointment of the BBC Chairman, who has a much more important role in upholding the reputation of the BBC, and who has not stepped back while under investigation, it also risks given the impression of double standards on these issues.”

ALT Bectu at the sag/equity rally in London holding flags

ALT Prospect and Bectu members at the rally

ALT Olivia Colman pictured wearing a Bectu work to live t shirt.

ALT Bectu members holding signs saying 'WGA on strike'

ALT Bectu members with a placard at the WGGB solidarity event

ALT Photo of the crowd at the solidarity with WGGB event

ALT Photo of the crowd at the solidarity with WGGB event

ALT Photo of the crowd at the solidarity with WGGB event

ALT Dear Secretary of State, I am writing to you on behalf of the many thousands of freelancers who work in film and TV and who are members of Bectu, the UK’s union for the creative industries. Bectu appreciates the support that you have shown the industry while in this role, including reviewing and extending tax relief to encourage inward investment and championing the UK as a great place for film and TV production, due to both the extensive studio space but also the excellent skills and creativity of the crew (our members). Like you, we are incredibly proud of the sector and its huge economic and cultural contribution is undeniable. You have recently made several references to the UK’s booming creative industries, and film and TV in particular. Whilst I appreciate that you were refencing 2022 figures, the harsh reality for tens of thousands of industry workers is far from the production boom of 2022. I attach our new report, out today, based on a poll of over 4,000 industry workers earli

ALT “I feel abandoned. I've dedicated my life to this career and overnight everything I've worked towards has fallen apart.” “To have given up so much of my life to working in TV (long hours, stressful contracts, weeks away from home) only to find myself finding it impossible to now get work, is the most soul-destroying part. This is the lowest I’ve ever felt, and completely hopeless for the future. And what is worse is seeing so many others saying the same thing.” “I’m scared. A career I’ve worked so hard for, as an ethnic minority working mum, it’s all for nothing. As freelancers we’re told it’s part of the risk of choosing this job we’re ‘so lucky’ to have. Yet what do we have to show for it? Nothing. No pension. No career. No future. Starting from scratch in my mid 40s with a mortgage and children that depend on me. It feels like redundancy without any severance package.” You can read further reflections from the workforce in our report. A huge 88% are concerned about their financial s

ALT “We are pleased to hear that the BBC will conduct a review of its social media guidance. The Director General has previously committed to engaging with Bectu on the impartiality guidelines; now more than ever it’s critical that the workforce is involved in these discussions. Bectu and the NUJ must therefore be involved in this latest review, and we will be writing to the BBC to demand this. “Regardless of what any revised guidelines may look like, while the Chairman remains in post members will continue to draw a comparison between their treatment and that of Richard Sharp. “Impartiality should be fundamental to the BBC’s operations. However, the Director General’s assertion that its guidance should be proportionate and appropriate is missing the fundamental ingredient – any guidance must be applied consistently across all levels of the organisation. The lack thereof is what has led to so much of the ill feeling from BBC staff and the public. “We note the resounding silence from the