‘Typical’ BBC blasted for job cuts for ‘little people’ despite major star salaries
BBC salary: Radio host 'astonished' as callers defend Lineker pay
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Tim Davie, the BBC’s director-general, is said to have warned staff about job cuts in recent weeks after the licence fee settlement, which will see the corporation face a funding shortfall of about £285m by 2027.
To reduce some of the financial backlash of the fee freeze, the corporation will need to make significant savings, which is expected to leave jobs and services in the firing line.
The announcement has been criticised for targeting the “little people” over BBC stars with large pay packets.
In a recent Radio 4 interview, when Mr Davie was asked about cuts to services and if channels would be axed, he replied: “Absolutely.”
On an internal video call, Mr Davie reportedly told BBC employees they should expect further details in April once the new financial year begins and the fee freeze has been implemented.
The announcement has left BBC staff anxious over the future and security of their jobs at the corporation.
Rebecca Ryan, Campaign Director at Defund the BBC, told Express.co.uk: “It’s just typical of the BBC to put the ‘little people’ up for the chop when it’s overpaid, woke ‘talent’ like Gary Lineker that have done the broadcaster the most damage.
“Ultimately the BBC may have to make some difficult streamlining decisions, given its determination to cling to the disappearing licence fee rather than going commercial and global, but we certainly think that they should start by cutting the grotesque wastage at the top.”
Philip Booth, a finance, public policy and ethics professor at St Mary’s University, spoke about the service cuts. He told Express.co.uk: “The BBC will respond by threatening to cut things which are really valued by the public – that is part of the political game when cuts are threatened in any part of Government.”
The enduring argument over the high salaries has sparked debate about economic inequality in the UK, where BBC stars earn more than 54 times that of the average UK salary – which stands at £29,600.
According to the corporation’s annual report, Gary Lineker earned a massive £1.36m in the 2020/21 financial year – down from £1.75m the year before. The TV personality took a £400,000 pay cut following the widespread negative reaction to the telling report – yet he still takes home an annual salary of well over £1m.
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A joint statement by the Chairman and Director General said: “We have great faith in the BBC and its future. We will do everything to ensure the BBC continues to punch above its weight for Britain and for audiences around the world.
“We will continue to drive an ambitious programme of reform, moving more of our output across the UK, transitioning the organisation to a digital future and delivering distinctive and impartial content. We have a uniquely talented team of people at the BBC who are focused on delivering this for the public.
“The BBC is owned by the public and their voice must always be the loudest when it comes to determining the BBC’s future.”
Express.co.uk readers had their say in a recent poll which asked ‘Should the highest earning BBC stars agree to a salary cut after the BBC licence freeze?’. A huge 98 percent agreed that they should slash the salaries of the BBC stars.
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