Met Office loses BBC weather forecasting contract after nearly a century

THE Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for rain for most of Oxfordshire.

Noyes added: “This is disappointing news, but we will be working to make sure that vital Met Office advice continues to be a part of BBC output”.

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen told the newspaper: “Everybody understands the BBC has to cut costs”.

But it released a profit warning with its first-half report in March, blaming the local Ministry of Transport contract, and said it wanted to accelerate growth in worldwide markets.

The BBC say the contract will end in October next year once a replacement provider has been found following a tendering process.

Former culture secretary Ben Bradshaw, an ex-BBC journalist who now represents Exeter, where the Met Office is based, called for the Government to intervene.

Met Office backed forecasts have appeared on the BBC television and radio platforms since 14 November 1922 from Marconi House on The Strand in London making it an institution at the public-service broadcaster. Vital 90 year old strategic relationship.

The news has sparked concern as to what can replace the Met Office’s trusted forecasts.

Heavy rain is forecast for later today and the yellow weather warning is in place from 2am tomorrow lasting until 10pm. The forecaster has faced criticism in recent years, most notably the “barbecue summer” forecast in 2009 that preceded a washout and led to the organisation ending long-term outlooks.

The Met Office has said heavy and persistent rain will give way to thundery showers with a maximum temperature of 18 Degrees Celsius.

In a statement the BBC, said: “Our viewers get the highest standard of weather service and that won’t change”.

The BBC have said the new contract will help provide a better price for TV licence payers and was legally required to open the contract to wider organisations.