New Delhi, April 15 -- The BBC has announced plans to reduce up to 2,000 jobs in an effort to cut around 10% of its annual budget, amounting to £500 million (about $677 million) over the next two years.

The decision, shared during a staff call, marks the broadcaster's largest round of layoffs in over a decade.

"I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge," AP quoted interim Director-General Rhodri Talfan Davies as saying in a staff email on Wednesday.

Davies said the cuts have been fuelled by rising inflation, financial strain on the licence fee, declining commercial income, and ongoing global economic uncertainty.

"As you know, the BBC is facing significant financial pressures, which we nee...