FM ‘disappointed and concerned’ over STV cuts

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is “disappointed and concerned'' over planned cuts at STV that will result in 59 job losses.

The First Minister said her thoughts were with the staff affected by the broadcaster's decision to close its loss-making STV2 channel as part of a major three-year restructuring plan, and urged the broadcaster to listen to concerns.

The closure of the channel will affect 25 jobs while a wider programme to deliver savings of £1 million per year is to result in 34 further job losses.

Speaking at First Minister's Questions at Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said: “I am very disappointed and concerned that STV is cutting jobs and closing its second channel only a year after that channel was launched.

“This will be a very worrying time for all employees of STV who are affected by yesterday's announcement and my thoughts and I'm sure the thoughts of the chamber are with them.

“This is a time when it is more important then ever that the Scottish perceptive on local, national and international news is reflected by our broadcasters.

“It is therefore crucial that the STV news service is not diminished and that its team of excellent journalists can continue to produce a high-quality news service covering the whole of Scotland and I hope that STV will listen to the concerns that are being expressed right now.''

Ms Sturgeon was responding to a question from SNP MSP Joan McAlpine who raised concerns the cuts could be part of a plan to prepare the channel for sale to ITV.

Ms Sturgeon said she had no knowledge to suggest that was the case, adding: “That is not a move I would wish to see and I think that move would be opposed and resisted by very many people across the country."