BBC Radio 4's Today programme was hosted by solo presenter Anna Foster for the first time on Saturday, as part of a new rota reducing weekend edition hosting from two to one person. This change follows Amol Rajan's departure and the BBC's decision not to replace him. The changes are a result of the BBC's efforts to make £500million in savings over two years, which may lead to 2,000 job losses. Just under 23 million households paid the licence fee last year, down 540,000 from the previous year.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
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Anna Foster, a presenter for Radio 4's Today programme, hosted the show alone for the first time on Saturday, marking a change in the presenting rota due to BBC spending cuts. The changes follow the departure of fellow presenter Amol Rajan, who left the program on Wednesday and will not be replaced, reducing the number of presenters from five to four. This decision is part of the BBC's effort to cut costs by using its existing presenters more efficiently. The BBC has vowed to slash £500 million from budgets over the next two years, which could lead to 2,000 job losses. Meanwhile, the number of households paying the annual £180 licence fee continues to decline, with just over 23 million households paying in the past year, a decrease of 540,000 compared to the previous year. The changes are part of the BBC's efforts to make savings and adapt to its funding crisis.
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Radio 4's flagship Today programme was hosted by a single presenter for the first time yesterday as BBC spending cuts continue to bite.
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cuts → see → time
Anna Foster, who would have traditionally co-hosted the programme with a colleague, presented the two-hour show on her own in the start of a new rota, which from now on will allocate just one presenter to the weekend edition.
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which → co → edition
A BBC insider who asked not to be named said: 'The BBC has decided to use its presenters more in the drive to make savings.
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BBC → ask → savings
'The presenters are well paid, and the BBC wants to get its money's worth.'
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BBC → pay → worth
The changes to the presenting rota follow Amol Rajan's decision to quit the programme.
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changes → present → programme
He presented his last edition on Wednesday, and the BBC has decided not to replace him, shrinking the roster of Today presenters from five to four.
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BBC → present → four
The corporation has vowed to slash £500million from budgets over the next two years, which could lead to 2,000 job losses.
uncertain
which → vow → losses
The BBC's funding crisis is in part due to a massive fall in the number of people willing to pay the licence fee.
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crisis → pay → fee
Anna Foster, pictured, presented the BBC's Today programme by herself on Saturday
Figures released earlier this year show that just in excess of 23million households paid the annual £180 charge, down by 540,000 on the previous year.
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households → picture → year
One BBC source said Today might be forced to make further savings later in the year, adding: 'Everyone is waiting for the next round of cuts, which will be announced in the autumn.'
Rajan, who will continue to present University Challenge, said last month the BBC's dire financial situation would only get worse unless the Government came up with a plausible alternative to the licence fee.
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Government → say → fee
A BBC spokesman declined to comment further and instead referred The Mail on Sunday to a previous statement about changes to schedules introduced in order to make savings.
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spokesman → decline → savings
