When does the present settlement run out?

CSR 2007 expires in March 2011. After that we do not know how much public funding there will be to run World Service – hence the need to plan for our bid and why World Service is going on the front foot to think about its future.

What sort of review will it be?

Whilst we do not know when the next review will be, it’s prudent to assume it will be a CSR not an SR.

When will we submit our bid?

The short answer is we don’t have a precise date. The UK Treasury sets the timetable but has yet to release any information to spending departments. In normal circumstances World Service would finalise its bid early next year before gaining approval within the BBC prior to submission to the FCO in late Spring. The settlement would be announced in Parliament next July to apply from April 2011. The likely reasons for the uncertainty over these timings are because the UK is in recession, public finances are in flux and a UK General Election is anticipated within the next year.

How important will it be to make efficiency savings?

All previous CSR bids have relied on, and benefited from, a strong track record of achieving efficiency and cost savings targets. Last time World Service promised to make savings equivalent to rising costs. The climate is such that we anticipate a keen focus on this aspect this time round.

How can staff help?

The senior team doesn’t have a monopoly of ideas on future priorities and opportunities for making savings. Staff are closer to the audience it makes sense to share and tap into this valuable insight. Once the senior team has made up its mind on future priorities it’s important that everyone connected with World Service understands the thinking behind them and can explain the logic to others.