BBC employs just 24 local people at new Salford HQ But Hazel Blears, MP for Salford and Eccles, described the figures as 'incredibly disappointing'. She said she was seeking an urgent meeting with Peter Salmon, director of BBC North. Ms Blears said: "The BBC needs to up its game and start to employ local people for local jobs. I'm shocked they have only come up with such a small number and I think they can do much, much better. In these difficult economic times it is vital that local people are able to take jobs in their home areas. Ken Lee, human resources director for BBC North, said: "We believe that this is a promising start. The BBC has recruited from across the north of England based on skills and experience, not by postcode. Additionally initiatives such as the ambassador and apprenticeship programmes offer local residents the chance not only to gain valuable entry level experience but permanent jobs as well. Of the BBC North workforce now based at MediaCity, approximately half were originally locally based - either working for the BBC in Manchester or living within reasonable travelling distance of MediaCity already. And half chose to move to the north either when their BBC jobs were relocated to Salford or as a result of applying for Salford-based jobs. Mr Lee said local people had also got jobs with other firms as a result of the BBC's presence - including 90 Salfordians taken on by building firm Balfour Beatty to work on the MediaCity site. The BBC closed its jobs website for posts at MediaCity in the summer after being deluged with applications. A total of 66,657 people put themselves forward - meaning one person in 98 got a job. For applicants from Salford, the figure was one in 130. Since the figures were released, it is understood the BBC has employed another two ambassadors from Salford.