On April 15, 2023, the BBC announced plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs in an effort to save 10% of its annual budget, which translates to approximately £500 million ($677 million) over the next two years. This decision, communicated during a staff call, marks the largest job reduction at the UK national broadcaster in over ten years. Interim Director-General Rhodri Talfan Davies acknowledged the uncertainty these layoffs would create, attributing the need for cuts to rising inflation, pressures on license fee income, and a challenging global economic environment. Earlier this year, the BBC had indicated it was facing significant financial challenges and aimed to reduce its budget by about a tenth by 2029, with most cuts expected to take place in the next fiscal year starting April 1, 2027. The announcement comes as former Google executive Matt Brittin prepares to take over as the new director-general next month. This transition follows the resignation of Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness due to a controversy involving a misleading edit in a documentary about former US President Donald Trump. The BBC, funded by an annual license fee currently set at £180 ($244), has faced increasing criticism from opponents of the fee, especially as many households shift away from traditional television. The Labour government has expressed commitment to ensuring sustainable funding for the BBC while considering alternatives to the license fee.