Donalda MacKinnon, director of the broadcaster’s Scottish arm, informed staff that despite efficiency savings being identified, the BBC will have to reduce the number of employees it has in its Scottish operation.

The BBC has offered voluntary redundancies across its whole operation, however, compulsory redundancies are still on the table.

The broadcaster said the licence fee freeze means £800m has to be found over the first five years of its current charter period. A further £125m of savings are being targeted after drops in licence fee collection and commercial income due to the coronavirus pandemic, BBC News reports.

Divisions of the BBC are now administering new savings plans, with BBC Scotland having to cut its budget by £6.2m over the period to the end of March 2021 as its contribution to the increased savings challenge facing the corporation.

Ms MacKinnon said: “BBC Scotland has been fortunate to attract significant investment in the last few years, securing a new TV channel, increased network programming and the establishment of a design and engineering hub.

“That meant we were able to create an additional 250 jobs - but we aren’t immune to the new financial challenges now facing many businesses up and down the country.

“Sadly, that means that along with cost-cutting measures throughout our departments, we estimate we will also have to lose around 60 posts to make the savings required.”