Recommendation 5

The BBC World Service’s poor documentation means that the BBC cannot explain why it made key decisions and has hindered their ability to learn lessons going forwards. From 2021–22, the BBC has implemented three savings plans for the World Service which aimed to save £54.2 million. As a result of the need to make savings, the BBC has had to make difficult decisions about the level and range of World Service programming that it provides. This included the decision to close 19 Radio and TV outputs which directly led to a reduction in weekly audiences of around 30 million. However, the BBC failed to clearly document or explain in full its rationale for these critical decisions and accepts that some of 5 these choices have not stood the test of time. Without clear documentation or evidence of a consistent approach to its decisions, the BBC is hampered in its ability to examine why and how it made these decisions. This means it is unable to learn lessons which support better decision making and the best possible value for money in future. In the current financial climate, it is likely that the BBC will continue to need to make savings in the World Service and therefore it is crucial that it improves its processes and documentation for decision making. recommendation In its response to this report, the BBC should provide the committee with an update on its plans for improving its decision-making processes in relation to the World Service’s savings programmes. This should include details on how current documents, such as business cases, will be improved to meet good practice and how the BBC will ensure a clear document trail and rationale for its decisions will be in place going forwards.