BBC director general Matt Brittin has told staff that unions have rejected an improved pay offer, raising the risk of industrial action across the broadcaster. Brittin said the corporation had increased its proposed pay rise from 1% to an average of 2.1%, only for the offer to be turned down by unions including the National Union of Journalists, a decision he called "disappointing" given staff want clarity on their pay.

Brittin said the revised offer would benefit lower earners most, with some staff receiving a 2.5% rise, while top leadership would get no increase at all. He noted the pay talks were taking place against a backdrop of £500 million in planned cost cuts, on top of an earlier £1.5 billion savings target, and warned that a 1% pay rise equates to roughly 180 jobs. He also pointed to funding pressures ahead of charter renewal, noting that while 94% of the UK population use the BBC monthly, fewer than 80% pay the £180 licence fee, and said further details on cuts would follow in coming weeks as talks with unions continue.