BBC is splurging on big pay increases for its top stars, despite the corporation’s claim it needs to cut costs as critics call for an end to license fees,
The broadcaster’s annual report shows that six of its top ten highest-paid stars saw their salaries increase year-on-year.
But despite this, Director General Tim Davey claimed that the BBC ‘talent’ is showing ‘incredible restraint’ in the salary market.
Last year nearly half of the organization’s 74 top on-screen actors were given a pay raise – including Naga Munchetti, who raised more than £100,000.
The number of stars who are now paid six-figure sums had increased from 172 to 192, with the group’s salaries also rising from around £32million to £34.6million.
Critics said last night that it was “high time” that the TV tax be dropped and taxpayers’ money stopped from going into the pockets of “media millionaires”.
He explained that these amounts were paid despite the BBC now paying more than 75% for a TV licence, following a change in the rules.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the Taxpayers Alliance, said the corporation would “migrate from pensioners” after ending free licenses for people over 75, instead of cutting its wasteful diversity budget and top star pay.
“Their latest annual report today shows where your TV tax is going: directly in the back pockets of their big hitters and top executives,” he said. the express,
He noted that some presenters have had an increase in pay, adding: ‘In the back office, chief executive Tim Davey has received a 15 percent pay increase. Nice work if you can get it.
‘The jury is no longer out. License fees are not appropriate for the 21st century.
Dennis Reid, director of Silver Voices, an independent group for UK senior citizens, told the news site the tax is ‘regressive’ and ‘the poorest hit hardest’.
It also comes after the corporation warned of dire consequences of a two-year license freeze and job cuts and cut services.
But Mr Davy said the BBC was being driven by ‘extreme hyper-inflation and competition’. He said the “return” that the BBC received in terms of value to viewers was “very strong” and the public wanted to see the “best people” present for the corporation. He said that proper restrictions on wages are ‘important and important’.
The BBC has also warned that the number of highly paid stars is set to increase in the coming years.
And it expects more stars to earn over £150,000 in the coming years due to a ‘competitive market for talent’.
The annual report for 2021/22 also revealed that the BBC’s gender pay gap has widened for the first time since it began recording figures in 2017. The corporation’s report shows that the average gap has increased from 5.2 per cent to 5.9 per cent.
While the broadcaster claimed that the overall on-air talent bill was slightly less than £129.8 million, which included low-paid on-air staff, this was different for many elite cast members.
Director General Tim Davey claims BBC ‘talent’ is showing ‘incredible restraint’ in pay market
The report revealed that 11 out of the top 20 have increased their salaries. It is believed that 36 top names received a salary increase, including new entrants to the ‘talent’ salary list, which reportedly represents in the region of £1 million for the group.
Gary Lineker, 61, remains the highest-paid and is the only one on over a million with up to £1,354,999 last year – £10,000 from the previous year for his work on Match of the Day and Sports Personality of the Day Low . year.
Zoe Ball remains the second highest paid star with earnings of up to £984,999. But his salary has dropped from the previous year and is now less than £1 million.
Radio 2 presenter Steve Wright, who made his afternoon show debut, was joint third with a drop of £450,000 – over £15,000.
Today presenter Amol Rajan saw his earnings increase by around £80,000 to £329,999 per year.
BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live presenter Miss Munchetti received £110,000 more than a year ago, amounting to up to £369,999 per year.
Radio 1 presenter Greg James saw his salary increase from approximately £80,000 to £394,999. Football pundit Alan Shearer received an additional £60,000, up from £454,999 the previous year, placing him in joint third.
Last night John O’Connell of the Taxpayers Alliance said: ‘These pay packets are taken from the pockets of hard-up pensioners and struggling taxpayers who are fed up with license fees. Auntie may be moving in the right direction, but now is the time to remove the TV tax and stop the taxpayer money going to these media millionaires.
The BBC claimed that the increase in salaries of top stars was due to overwork by many. It only publishes details of paid talent in excess of £150,000. The BBC said the total number of public service employees had dropped from 18,190 to 17,781.
Its total wage bill was £1.05 billion, down from £1.09 billion.
The corporation said last night: ‘Total top talent salaries have declined 1.5 percent, the workforce has dropped by more than 400 on top of a 1,200 drop last year, and senior leaders have declined by 3 percent.
‘In addition, we have increased the amount we spend on programs and services after the lockdown, and some people have done more for the BBC.’