Fears over lack of scrutiny for key sectors as health editor position will also go in cuts aimed at saving £5.5m

The BBC will no longer have a dedicated education editor as part of a cost-cutting drive that will see 100 jobs go across BBC News, under a plan that school leaders described as “deeply regrettable”.

BBC staff have been told that the roles of education editor and social affairs editor are to be combined into a single position as part of a round of changes that will save £5.5m. However, prominent unions and campaigners are warning the reform will dilute scrutiny of two specialisms that are too important to go without a dedicated BBC role.