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BBC defends executive pay rises BBC defends executive pay rises
(10 minutes later)
The BBC has defended pay rises of up to £107,000 each for executive directors saying it must offer competitive salaries for top jobs.The BBC has defended pay rises of up to £107,000 each for executive directors saying it must offer competitive salaries for top jobs.
Director general Mark Thompson said the levels of BBC pay and bonuses were "in many cases, a tiny patch on what other broadcasters are paying".Director general Mark Thompson said the levels of BBC pay and bonuses were "in many cases, a tiny patch on what other broadcasters are paying".
The figures were revealed in the corporation's annual report.The figures were revealed in the corporation's annual report.
The BBC also said it had succeeded in rebuilding trust after a series of phone-in scandals last year.The BBC also said it had succeeded in rebuilding trust after a series of phone-in scandals last year.
A series of audience feedback surveys stated that public trust in the BBC had "fully recovered" by the year's end.A series of audience feedback surveys stated that public trust in the BBC had "fully recovered" by the year's end.
'Major restructuring''Major restructuring'
When you actually get out into the external world, some potential candidates almost roll on the floor laughing when you talk about potential levels of pay Mark Thompson Mr Thompson - who waived his own right to a bonus because of the "scale of disruption and uncertainty" across the BBC - said pay for executive directors was "benchmarked" against private companies.When you actually get out into the external world, some potential candidates almost roll on the floor laughing when you talk about potential levels of pay Mark Thompson Mr Thompson - who waived his own right to a bonus because of the "scale of disruption and uncertainty" across the BBC - said pay for executive directors was "benchmarked" against private companies.
The pay of senior staff in public sector outfits including Royal Mail and Network Rail were also taken into account, he added.The pay of senior staff in public sector outfits including Royal Mail and Network Rail were also taken into account, he added.
Ashley Highfield, who has since left his post as future media executive director, saw his overall pay rise by £107,000 to £466,000.Ashley Highfield, who has since left his post as future media executive director, saw his overall pay rise by £107,000 to £466,000.
Mr Thompson said that, after "a major restructuring", a number of executive directors also had greater responsibilities which had been reflected in their pay.Mr Thompson said that, after "a major restructuring", a number of executive directors also had greater responsibilities which had been reflected in their pay.
WHERE LICENCE FEE WAS SPENT Television - £2,355m Radio - £598m Online services - £182mLicence fee collection - £351mDigital switchover - £27m Source: BBC annual report "When you actually get out into the external world, some potential candidates almost roll on the floor laughing when you talk about potential levels of pay," he added. WHERE LICENCE FEE WAS SPENT Television - £2,355m Radio - £598m Online services - £182mLicence fee collection and other admin costs - £351mDigital switchover - £27m Source: BBC annual report "When you actually get out into the external world, some potential candidates almost roll on the floor laughing when you talk about potential levels of pay," he added.
Broadcasting workers' union Bectu said the defence of salary increases on the basis of additional responsibilities "doesn't wash with us".Broadcasting workers' union Bectu said the defence of salary increases on the basis of additional responsibilities "doesn't wash with us".
"Because of the thousands of job losses that have happened most of our members have taken on additional responsibilities - therefore we do not believe the hikes in executive salaries are justified," general secretary Gerry Morrissey told the BBC News website."Because of the thousands of job losses that have happened most of our members have taken on additional responsibilities - therefore we do not believe the hikes in executive salaries are justified," general secretary Gerry Morrissey told the BBC News website.
In October, the BBC announced it was axing up to 1,800 jobs, prompted by a smaller than expected licence fee settlement from the government.In October, the BBC announced it was axing up to 1,800 jobs, prompted by a smaller than expected licence fee settlement from the government.
"Nobody in the executive board leading the BBC should be taking higher salary increases than the across-the-board increases that have been given to staff, who are only getting 2% this August," Mr Morrissey added."Nobody in the executive board leading the BBC should be taking higher salary increases than the across-the-board increases that have been given to staff, who are only getting 2% this August," Mr Morrissey added.
Faked phone-insFaked phone-ins
The BBC's clear demonstration of righting wrongs does not appear to have gone unnoticed Michael LyonsBBC Trust chairman BBC Vision director Jana Bennett had a total pay rise of more than £103,000 - to £536,000 - but Mr Thompson said her bonus had been reduced to £23,000 because of fakery scandals surrounding some TV shows.The BBC's clear demonstration of righting wrongs does not appear to have gone unnoticed Michael LyonsBBC Trust chairman BBC Vision director Jana Bennett had a total pay rise of more than £103,000 - to £536,000 - but Mr Thompson said her bonus had been reduced to £23,000 because of fakery scandals surrounding some TV shows.
In July 2007, the BBC suspended all competitions after an inquiry unearthed a fresh batch of faked phone-ins on six shows including Comic Relief. That followed early problems with phone-ins on Saturday Kitchen and Blue Peter.In July 2007, the BBC suspended all competitions after an inquiry unearthed a fresh batch of faked phone-ins on six shows including Comic Relief. That followed early problems with phone-ins on Saturday Kitchen and Blue Peter.
In the same month, a documentary trailer that used footage out of sequence to falsely portray the Queen walking out of a photo session "in a huff" was shown to journalists.In the same month, a documentary trailer that used footage out of sequence to falsely portray the Queen walking out of a photo session "in a huff" was shown to journalists.
At the start of 2007, licence fee payers questioned in a survey gave a mean score of 5.87 out of 10 for how much they agreed with the statement "I trust the BBC", the report said.At the start of 2007, licence fee payers questioned in a survey gave a mean score of 5.87 out of 10 for how much they agreed with the statement "I trust the BBC", the report said.
This began to drop after July 2007 and had fallen to 5.49 by October but, by May 2008 had returned to 5.89.This began to drop after July 2007 and had fallen to 5.49 by October but, by May 2008 had returned to 5.89.
ENGAGING WITH AUDIENCES The BBC received over 1.1m contacts from the publicIt dealt with 124,000 complaintsEastEnders attracted the most complaints of any programme - 5,500850 network radio and TV shows were recorded with a live audience Source: BBC annual report The BBC Trust's review and assessment [1.3MB]The BBC Executive's review and assessment [5.2MB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here BBC Trust chairman Michael Lyons said: "The BBC's commitment to put its own house in order is clear and the action taken has strengthened the editorial framework and processes.ENGAGING WITH AUDIENCES The BBC received over 1.1m contacts from the publicIt dealt with 124,000 complaintsEastEnders attracted the most complaints of any programme - 5,500850 network radio and TV shows were recorded with a live audience Source: BBC annual report The BBC Trust's review and assessment [1.3MB]The BBC Executive's review and assessment [5.2MB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here BBC Trust chairman Michael Lyons said: "The BBC's commitment to put its own house in order is clear and the action taken has strengthened the editorial framework and processes.
"Indeed, the BBC's clear demonstration of righting wrongs does not appear to have gone unnoticed.""Indeed, the BBC's clear demonstration of righting wrongs does not appear to have gone unnoticed."
These measures included staff training and tighter editorial controls.These measures included staff training and tighter editorial controls.
Director general Mr Thompson, meanwhile, also hailed the "phenomenally successful iPlayer", the BBC's online video service.Director general Mr Thompson, meanwhile, also hailed the "phenomenally successful iPlayer", the BBC's online video service.
The service, which launched in December, reached an average of 1.1 million users per week by the end of March.The service, which launched in December, reached an average of 1.1 million users per week by the end of March.
And he praised high definition channel BBC HD, which also launched in December.And he praised high definition channel BBC HD, which also launched in December.
Mr Thompson also hailed an increase in the "monthly reach" - the amount of people who use BBC services in the UK each month - of 0.6% to 95%, after a period of decline.Mr Thompson also hailed an increase in the "monthly reach" - the amount of people who use BBC services in the UK each month - of 0.6% to 95%, after a period of decline.
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