Independent Society of Musicians Chief Executive Deborah Annetts said ‘Today’s announcement to disband BBC Singers and severely cut the number of salaried positions in the BBC Orchestras will be devastating for the BBC, musicians, and classical music in this country.

It is difficult to see how this strategy is well thought out. Taking away jobs from singers and orchestral musicians is deeply destructive in these already difficult times when much of the music sector and those working in it are struggling for survival. Let us not forget that this announcement follows Arts Council England’s funding decisions from November 2022 which have also harmed many music organisations.

All these decisions fly in the face of the Government’s commitment to put the creative industries at the heart of economic growth in this country. We call urgently for the BBC to consult with the ISM on not only these cuts but also its plans around a music education offer.’