BBC MediaCityUK – too few jobs for local people says Hazel Blears MP
Posted: 23 January 2012
Following a Freedom of Information request, figures have revealed that of 680 jobs at the BBC in MediaCityUK, just 24 went to Salfordians, despite over 3,100 applications.
There are now over 1,800 staff at the BBC in Salford but some 1,100 of the posts went to staff relocating from London or from the former BBC site on Oxford Road.
Hazel Blears, the MP for Salford and Eccles worked closely with the BBC and the then Labour Government to secure the BBC move to MediaCityUK.
Hazel said:
“I find it incredibly disappointing that the BBC has only employed 24 Salfordians in the nearly 500 vacancies at MediaCityUK. The BBC needs to up its game and start to employ local people for local jobs. I simply don’t believe that from 3,000 local applications only 24 were suitable. The BBC needs to look hard at its training and development opportunities, as any company would that is relocating and committed to employing as many local people as possible.”
“I don’t expect them to achieve 100% but if in the construction phase over 25% of the jobs can be done by people from across Greater Manchester, then I most certainly do expect more than 3.5% at the BBC itself. In these difficult economic times it is vital that local people are able to take jobs in their home areas. I am writing to Peter Salmon requesting an urgent meeting so that they do all they can to employ local people for upcoming vacancies.”
