Further written evidence from BBC World
Service
We are aware that the FCO is having to address
a potential shortfall in its 2010-11 budget because of the decline
in value of GB Sterling and the World Service is facing similar
foreign exchange problems for the same reason. To date the FCO
has not approached BBC World Service for more 2010-11 savings
over and above the 3% committed to in the last CSR agreement,
and its £3.3 million share of the additional target announced
by the Treasury in 2009, which World Service is budgeting to find
through a combination of cost control and reprioritisation. Any
request for further savings would need to be discussed in the
context of the ring-fencing put in place by HMT some years ago.
No firm decisions have been made yet about strategic
priorities for the future, and we don't expect to announce any
major changes to the overall shape of BBC World Service, including
its language portfolio, prior to the general election.
11 January 2010
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