Making allowances

Meaningful moves into the BBC's production offices at MediaCityUK start this week.  Earlier occupants included the Manchester-based BBC Philharmonic - a move which seems to have gone well, apart from the late arrival of chairs in the urban-chic staff canteen.  Lunches were picnics for nearly a week.

Peter Salmon and Mark Thompson blitzed the national press with stats on their inspection tour; it's probably worth revisiting some of them.  Of the 290 homeowners in the "first wave", a healthly 200 or so intend to sell in the South and buy in the North.  90 will keep their houses "darn sarf", and take advantage of the allowed expenses.  Provided they have receipts, they can claim up to £1,900 a month for rent, rates, travel etc, for two years.   They are liable for tax, but over two years, can get £45,900 of "value" out of the organisation.  If all 90 claim the max, that's £4.1m from the licence fee.

They surrender their right to be made redundant from their London posts, but are they protected from the 20% cuts to come under "Delivering Quality First" ?  Director of the North Peter Salmon tries to suggest to staff magazine Ariel that there is an immune zone around Salford: "We're not moving anyone here to make them redundant".  A broad view of employment policy there which may interest union officials and HR lawyers looking after staff elsewhere in the BBC.