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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/live/2017/jul/19/bbc-publishes-salaries-of-highest-earning-stars-live-updates
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| BBC accused of discrimination as salaries reveal gender pay gap - as it happened | BBC accused of discrimination as salaries reveal gender pay gap - as it happened |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| 3.06pm BST | 3.06pm BST |
| 15:06 | 15:06 |
| Here’s a roundup of the main points after the publication of the BBC’s top salaries. | Here’s a roundup of the main points after the publication of the BBC’s top salaries. |
| Chris Evans was paid at least £2.2m by the BBC last year while Gary Lineker collected more than £1.75m and Graham Norton more than £850,000, according to figures published by the corporation. Evans said it was “right and proper” that the public knows how much he his senior colleagues are paid. | Chris Evans was paid at least £2.2m by the BBC last year while Gary Lineker collected more than £1.75m and Graham Norton more than £850,000, according to figures published by the corporation. Evans said it was “right and proper” that the public knows how much he his senior colleagues are paid. |
| The list of 96 top earners exposed a series of gender disparities on pay in sports coverage, news, radio and TV. Only a third of the top earners are female and the top seven are all male. | The list of 96 top earners exposed a series of gender disparities on pay in sports coverage, news, radio and TV. Only a third of the top earners are female and the top seven are all male. |
| Lawyers have warned that the BBC is now exposed to sex discrimination claims by its female presenters. Labour’s Harriet Harman urged the BBC to stop using public money to discriminate against women. | Lawyers have warned that the BBC is now exposed to sex discrimination claims by its female presenters. Labour’s Harriet Harman urged the BBC to stop using public money to discriminate against women. |
| BBC director general, Tony Hall, says he is committed to closing the gender pay gap at the BBC by 2020. “By 2020 we will have equality between men and women on air, and we will also have the pay gap sorted by then too,” he said. | BBC director general, Tony Hall, says he is committed to closing the gender pay gap at the BBC by 2020. “By 2020 we will have equality between men and women on air, and we will also have the pay gap sorted by then too,” he said. |
| Culutre secretary Karen Bradley presented the issue of openness about BBC salaries as one of promoting equality rather than squeezing the resources of the corporation. But opponents of the BBC have been using the salaries to attack the corporation and scrap the licence fee. | Culutre secretary Karen Bradley presented the issue of openness about BBC salaries as one of promoting equality rather than squeezing the resources of the corporation. But opponents of the BBC have been using the salaries to attack the corporation and scrap the licence fee. |
| Theresa May took a dig at the BBC high earners to deflect a question about pay in the public sector. Speaking at prime minister’s questions she said: “as we see today there are some people in public sector who are being very well paid”. | Theresa May took a dig at the BBC high earners to deflect a question about pay in the public sector. Speaking at prime minister’s questions she said: “as we see today there are some people in public sector who are being very well paid”. |
| The union representing low-paid production workers at the BBC is stepping up demands for a minimum salary of 20,000. Gerry Morrissey, leader of Bectu, said: “There should be a lot more focus on giving low-paid staff a decent living wage.” | The union representing low-paid production workers at the BBC is stepping up demands for a minimum salary of 20,000. Gerry Morrissey, leader of Bectu, said: “There should be a lot more focus on giving low-paid staff a decent living wage.” |
| That’s your lot for today. There is more on our BBC section. | That’s your lot for today. There is more on our BBC section. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.59pm BST | |
| 2.41pm BST | 2.41pm BST |
| 14:41 | 14:41 |
| The DUP’s Sammy Wilson, one of 10 MPs propping up the government after a promise of £1bn for Northern Ireland, has attacked the BBC’s top salaries as “a national disgrace”. | The DUP’s Sammy Wilson, one of 10 MPs propping up the government after a promise of £1bn for Northern Ireland, has attacked the BBC’s top salaries as “a national disgrace”. |
| In a series of statements published on his Twitter account he said: “This is just another example of the champagne socialism which permeates many public sector organisations and is yet another reason whey the unfair licence fee ought to be abolished and the BBC made to earn its money rather than it be gifted to it from those who often cannot pay.” | In a series of statements published on his Twitter account he said: “This is just another example of the champagne socialism which permeates many public sector organisations and is yet another reason whey the unfair licence fee ought to be abolished and the BBC made to earn its money rather than it be gifted to it from those who often cannot pay.” |
| Red faces and fat wallets at the BBC! pic.twitter.com/DIf6EPoBs2 | Red faces and fat wallets at the BBC! pic.twitter.com/DIf6EPoBs2 |
| 2.22pm BST | 2.22pm BST |
| 14:22 | 14:22 |
| Conservative former minister Anna Soubry said it was “a disgrace” that the BBC was required to disclose salaries and she could not defend Tory policy on the issue. | Conservative former minister Anna Soubry said it was “a disgrace” that the BBC was required to disclose salaries and she could not defend Tory policy on the issue. |
| The Broxtowe MP told BBC Radio 5 Live Daily’s Adrian Chiles: “This story is a disgrace, not because of figures but the fact that it’s ever been published. | The Broxtowe MP told BBC Radio 5 Live Daily’s Adrian Chiles: “This story is a disgrace, not because of figures but the fact that it’s ever been published. |
| “I take objection on behalf of these people who have had their names and their salaries exposed in this completely undignified way. | “I take objection on behalf of these people who have had their names and their salaries exposed in this completely undignified way. |
| “What this will do is that it will stoke up the politics of envy ... People will say, well, why is a nurse worth less than Gary Lineker or Chris Evans, and that’s a completely meaningless debate. | “What this will do is that it will stoke up the politics of envy ... People will say, well, why is a nurse worth less than Gary Lineker or Chris Evans, and that’s a completely meaningless debate. |
| “So the BBC should be ashamed of themselves, they should never have agreed to this, it shouldn’t have been done.” | “So the BBC should be ashamed of themselves, they should never have agreed to this, it shouldn’t have been done.” |
| Other MPs have been alarmed by gender pay gap exposed in the list. Labour’s Tracy Brabin picks out examples we mentioned earlier. | Other MPs have been alarmed by gender pay gap exposed in the list. Labour’s Tracy Brabin picks out examples we mentioned earlier. |
| BBC gender pay gap is shocking. They must move to improve the situation very, very quickly. Some stark examples in the picture! pic.twitter.com/fX9adosLcE | BBC gender pay gap is shocking. They must move to improve the situation very, very quickly. Some stark examples in the picture! pic.twitter.com/fX9adosLcE |
| 2.05pm BST | 2.05pm BST |
| 14:05 | 14:05 |
| The Guardian has published a searchable list of all the 96 BBC stars earning more than £150,000. | The Guardian has published a searchable list of all the 96 BBC stars earning more than £150,000. |
| 2.02pm BST | 2.02pm BST |
| 14:02 | 14:02 |
| The government is presenting the issue of openness about BBC salaries as one of promoting equality rather than squeezing the resources of the corporation. | The government is presenting the issue of openness about BBC salaries as one of promoting equality rather than squeezing the resources of the corporation. |
| Culture Secretary Karen Bradley told BBC News: “Transparency is really important in uncovering where there are things that are perhaps not as fair and equal as they should be. | Culture Secretary Karen Bradley told BBC News: “Transparency is really important in uncovering where there are things that are perhaps not as fair and equal as they should be. |
| “We have the opportunity to see where there’s maybe gender pay gaps, and where there’s issues about BAME presenters perhaps not being paid as much as others.” | “We have the opportunity to see where there’s maybe gender pay gaps, and where there’s issues about BAME presenters perhaps not being paid as much as others.” |
| She added: “I’m really pleased that Director General Tony Hall has said that he welcomes this because he wants to make sure that they do deal with any misrepresentation of women, of any under payment of anybody and that we get that gender pay gap dealt with.” | She added: “I’m really pleased that Director General Tony Hall has said that he welcomes this because he wants to make sure that they do deal with any misrepresentation of women, of any under payment of anybody and that we get that gender pay gap dealt with.” |
| Bradley also claimed that publication of salaries would have deflationary impact on the BBC pay bill. She said: “From the anecdotal evidence that we have seen people are asking for their pay to be reduced because they are very conscious of how this looks to the public. | Bradley also claimed that publication of salaries would have deflationary impact on the BBC pay bill. She said: “From the anecdotal evidence that we have seen people are asking for their pay to be reduced because they are very conscious of how this looks to the public. |
| “If you look at the civil service or politicians, transparency has not led to pay inflation, quite the opposite. It is for license fee payers to determine whether they think this is good value for money or not. | “If you look at the civil service or politicians, transparency has not led to pay inflation, quite the opposite. It is for license fee payers to determine whether they think this is good value for money or not. |
| 1.47pm BST | 1.47pm BST |
| 13:47 | 13:47 |
| Here’s an answer to one of the questions we put to you earlier: | Here’s an answer to one of the questions we put to you earlier: |
| The reason the BBC was told to publish the list of top earners was to demonstrate whether it is delivering value for money - in other words, whether it pays in line with the market. Given that no other broadcaster publishes the pay of its stars this is difficult to prove, but Tony Hall, the director general, insists the BBC aims to pay people at a discount to the market while Gary Lineker, one of the top earners, insists he has been offered more lucrative deals to leave. One publicly available pay deal is for Paul Dacre, the editor of the Daily Mail, who gets £1.5m a year - which would put him second on the BBC’s list behind Chris Evans. | The reason the BBC was told to publish the list of top earners was to demonstrate whether it is delivering value for money - in other words, whether it pays in line with the market. Given that no other broadcaster publishes the pay of its stars this is difficult to prove, but Tony Hall, the director general, insists the BBC aims to pay people at a discount to the market while Gary Lineker, one of the top earners, insists he has been offered more lucrative deals to leave. One publicly available pay deal is for Paul Dacre, the editor of the Daily Mail, who gets £1.5m a year - which would put him second on the BBC’s list behind Chris Evans. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.48pm BST | at 1.48pm BST |
| 1.42pm BST | 1.42pm BST |
| 13:42 | 13:42 |
| Jeremy Vine: salaries are for the BBC to justify | Jeremy Vine: salaries are for the BBC to justify |
| Jeremy Vine sounded defensive when he was challenged about his £700,000 plus salary by a former coal miner during a phone-in on Vine’s Radio 2 show. | Jeremy Vine sounded defensive when he was challenged about his £700,000 plus salary by a former coal miner during a phone-in on Vine’s Radio 2 show. |
| “I feel very lucky every day is the answer,” Vine said. | “I feel very lucky every day is the answer,” Vine said. |
| The former miner, who gave his name as Harry, said he thought Vine was overpaid. | The former miner, who gave his name as Harry, said he thought Vine was overpaid. |
| Vine, the fourth highest earner on the list said: “I don’t even want to answer that, because I feel like it is not the moment for me...” | Vine, the fourth highest earner on the list said: “I don’t even want to answer that, because I feel like it is not the moment for me...” |
| Harry said Vine should be prepared to answer direct questions as he expected guests on his show to do. Asked if he thought BBC presenters were overpaid, Vine replied “some are”. | Harry said Vine should be prepared to answer direct questions as he expected guests on his show to do. Asked if he thought BBC presenters were overpaid, Vine replied “some are”. |
| Harry then asked: “How can you people justify the amount of money you are earning? | Harry then asked: “How can you people justify the amount of money you are earning? |
| Vine replied: “To some extent Harry this is for the BBC to justify.” | Vine replied: “To some extent Harry this is for the BBC to justify.” |
| 1.13pm BST | 1.13pm BST |
| 13:13 | 13:13 |
| Rachel Obordo | Rachel Obordo |
| Guardian readers have been in touch to share their thoughts on the gender pay gap. | Guardian readers have been in touch to share their thoughts on the gender pay gap. |
| Janice Aitken said she is not surprised about the gender pay gap at the BBC. “I’m deeply saddened to see it is firmly entrenched in the BBC. If the household names we see on our screens daily are not treated equally then the message is loud and clear - women are less valued, less entertaining and less authoritative than men who are doing the same job.” | Janice Aitken said she is not surprised about the gender pay gap at the BBC. “I’m deeply saddened to see it is firmly entrenched in the BBC. If the household names we see on our screens daily are not treated equally then the message is loud and clear - women are less valued, less entertaining and less authoritative than men who are doing the same job.” |
| A freelance writer from Essex, Jenny Day thinks the report reflects an organisational culture which is out of touch with the modern era. “The idea that a man should automatically be ‘the family breadwinner’ has long since ceased to be relevant. There are now many families in which the woman is the main breadwinner, yet this notion of male superiority in remuneration stubbornly persists.” | A freelance writer from Essex, Jenny Day thinks the report reflects an organisational culture which is out of touch with the modern era. “The idea that a man should automatically be ‘the family breadwinner’ has long since ceased to be relevant. There are now many families in which the woman is the main breadwinner, yet this notion of male superiority in remuneration stubbornly persists.” |
| Daniel Bevan from Portsmouth thinks the pay gap is “a ridiculous and unjustified throwback to a time when women were seen as unequal”. He said, “It’s very simple. If you can do the job well, it’s irrelevant whether you’re male or female.” | Daniel Bevan from Portsmouth thinks the pay gap is “a ridiculous and unjustified throwback to a time when women were seen as unequal”. He said, “It’s very simple. If you can do the job well, it’s irrelevant whether you’re male or female.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.44pm BST | at 1.44pm BST |
| 1.12pm BST | 1.12pm BST |
| 13:12 | 13:12 |
| Chris Evans: publishing salaries 'right and proper' | Chris Evans: publishing salaries 'right and proper' |
| Chris Evans was mobbed by reporters asking to justify his £2.2m plus salary as he left the BBC after presenting his radio breakfast show. | Chris Evans was mobbed by reporters asking to justify his £2.2m plus salary as he left the BBC after presenting his radio breakfast show. |
| He told them: “We are the ultimate public company and therefore I think that it is probably, on balance, right and proper if people know what we get paid.” | He told them: “We are the ultimate public company and therefore I think that it is probably, on balance, right and proper if people know what we get paid.” |
| Lord Hall defended Evans’s pay uring a briefing on the annual report. He said: “Chris Evans is presenting the most popular show on the most popular radio network in Europe. | Lord Hall defended Evans’s pay uring a briefing on the annual report. He said: “Chris Evans is presenting the most popular show on the most popular radio network in Europe. |
| “It might not be commercial radio, but we do know that for a number of presenters they have been made offers by commercial radio. | “It might not be commercial radio, but we do know that for a number of presenters they have been made offers by commercial radio. |
| “We also know we’ve lost people, not Chris, but to Amazon and to other big players ... Also the choice for some of our talent is to go and do something completely different because they’re entertainers ... that is the market we’re dealing with. Them saying ‘we’re going to do something completely different’ or ... ‘it’s a market that is not just the UK but global’.” | “We also know we’ve lost people, not Chris, but to Amazon and to other big players ... Also the choice for some of our talent is to go and do something completely different because they’re entertainers ... that is the market we’re dealing with. Them saying ‘we’re going to do something completely different’ or ... ‘it’s a market that is not just the UK but global’.” |
| 12.58pm BST | 12.58pm BST |
| 12:58 | 12:58 |
| Another lawyer has warned the BBC is now open to sex discrimination claims over pay (see earlier). | Another lawyer has warned the BBC is now open to sex discrimination claims over pay (see earlier). |
| Ruth Gamble, Partner at BDBF said: “If the BBC’s list of salaries shows that a female presenter on a primetime show is being paid less than a male presenter on the same show or a similar one, they have the makings of a good sex discrimination or equal pay claim. To defeat such a claim, the BBC would have to demonstrate that there is an explanation for the difference, which has nothing to do with gender. They will likely try to rely on years’ of experience, audience ratings for particular shows and differences between programme genres but, if the disparities are as striking as many expect them to be, it will not be an easy argument.” | Ruth Gamble, Partner at BDBF said: “If the BBC’s list of salaries shows that a female presenter on a primetime show is being paid less than a male presenter on the same show or a similar one, they have the makings of a good sex discrimination or equal pay claim. To defeat such a claim, the BBC would have to demonstrate that there is an explanation for the difference, which has nothing to do with gender. They will likely try to rely on years’ of experience, audience ratings for particular shows and differences between programme genres but, if the disparities are as striking as many expect them to be, it will not be an easy argument.” |