The BBC has announced 500 of its full-time roles will be “reduced” over the course of the next two years. It comes after the broadcasting firm released a list of its top paid presenters raking in huge salaries.

Chief operating adviser Leigh Tavaziva announced that the changes are being made to enhance their premium video services and digital capabilities.

This comes at a time when the BBC is already in the process of saving £500 million, as part of a plan revealed two years ago. Tavaziva mentioned that “significant activity” is already taking place to make the corporation “more flexible”.

She said: “In March this year we announced a requirement for an additional £200 million of savings and reinvestment plans to drive the continued transformation of the BBC.

“This will support greater investment into premium video content and further develop our digital capabilities.”

She added: “To further build our digital capabilities, whilst targeting efficiencies, over the next two years we will continue to close and transfer roles in some areas and create new roles in growth areas.

“This will result in a forecast net reduction of 500 roles in the public service by March 26, with further growth in targeted areas planned in our commercial group. To support these changes we will today be launching a new voluntary redundancy scheme for staff.

“Our priority remains to protect and champion the BBC’s fighting role as the UK’s public service broadcaster, for all our audiences both local and global.

“I would like to thank all colleagues for their continued efforts and commitments over the past 12 months.

“I am immensely proud of the exceptional content creativity, delivery, and innovation that our teams both provide and support every day.”

It comes after the BBC revealed its highest paid presenters this week, with Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker named as the broadcaster’s top earner bringing in £1.35m.

BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball was second, earning at least £950,000, and BBC Radio 1’s Greg James came in after Huw with £415,000.

Surprisingly, Huw Edwards was paid at least £475,000 between 2023 and 2024, even though he was taken off air in July 2023 – a £40,000 increase from the year before.

This is despite the 62-year-old’s departure from the broadcaster following allegations he paid a young person for explicit images.