More than two dozen staff at BBC Scotland are to lose their jobs in a shake up of TV production at the corporation.

The BBC's television production arm, BBC Studios, is restructuring as it prepares to become a more commercial entity capable of competing with independent producers.

BBC Studios, including factual productions made in Scotland such as recent documentaries about Roald Dahl and Terry Pratchett, is moving to "a flexible model, more in line with the wider industry" the BBC said.

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Overall around 300 jobs are to go in TV production at the BBC across the UK, with the biggest impact being felt in England, and 25 jobs in Scotland, or 12% of the total.

The BBC is initially looking for voluntary redundancies.

Staffing on TV factual and drama programmes will move towards a model seen in the private sector, with short term and contract work rather than staff positions.

BBC Studios is likely to become a commercial subsidiary of the corporation next year.

BBC Studios is currently the corporation's main TV production arm, and makes programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who and Mrs Brown’s Boys,Glastonbury, Big Blue Live and Life and Death Row.

From 2017 it will be able to compete for work with other UK and international broadcasters.

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If approved by the BBC Trust, BBC Studios will be put on a commercial footing and will be able to make programmes for other broadcasters as well.

Sue Harris, the National Union of Journalists broadcasting organiser, said: "The latest charter deal which has transferred the welfare benefit of free TV licences for the over-75s from the government to the BBC licence fee payer has meant a huge hit to the budget - £1.3bn over five years, then £750m each year.

"This announcement of the loss of 300 jobs at BBC Studios is a consequence of this.

"The NUJ has spoken out against the decision to privatise BBC production and this is why.

"How can the BBC maintain it intends to be a “strong, creative and competitive" programme maker by sacking this number of staff?"

Staff at Pacific Quay in Glasgow, where BBC Scotland is based, were told of the moves yesterday.

Mark Linsey, director of BBC Studios, said: "A strong, creative and competitive BBC Studios is crucial to maintaining the BBC’s role as one of the world’s great programme makers – and we are committed to delivering the best content in all our genres.

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"These plans will ensure we can compete successfully in the future."

News production, sports, and radio production are not to be affected by the changes at the moment.

It is a period of change at BBC Scotland.

The news department is currently trialling a series of options for a 'Scottish Six' evening news bulletin, and a decision will be made before Christmas.

Meanwhile Ken MacQuarrie, the former director of BBC Scotland, is the new BBC Director of Nations and Regions

Mr MacQuarrie, director of BBC Scotland since 2004, was appointed to the post with "responsibility for bringing together and enhancing the BBC’s offer to the nations and regions of the UK" and will sit on the BBC’s new Executive Committee.

The role was announced by the Director-General, Tony Hall in July 2016.

Mr MacQuarrie took up the post with immediate effect and the process to appoint his successor at BBC Scotland is underway.