Second City Thoughts

As the weather, if not the date, turns autumnal, we're heading into the traditional BBC season of industrial action; and it looks like the Asian Network will be the first to break the tape.

In a move that can only be described as puzzling, given Charter Renewal discussions about social cohesion, distinctiveness, serving communities, and regionalism, the Network is facing more cuts. There is apparently a saving to be made in moving late drivetime DJ Bobby Friction and an Editor from Birmingham to London. This looks odd - the Editor will surely cost more to run, because of London Weighting allowances. Bobby might be cheaper if, say, he lived in London, and we're paying to shuttle him to Brum. But the move flies in the face of commitments sought by the Birmingham press and MPs, and Lord Hall may not be happy on his return from Tuscany.

Measuring by content spend, the Network seems to have suffered by comparison with other stations in Bob Shennan's stable over the past five years. So a one-day strike has been called by the NUJ for next Wednesday.