This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42827333
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 10 | Version 11 |
---|---|
Six male BBC presenters agree to pay cuts | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Six of the BBC's leading male presenters have agreed to take pay cuts after revelations over equal salaries. | |
The BBC said Huw Edwards, Nicky Campbell, John Humphrys, Jon Sopel, Nick Robinson and Jeremy Vine had all accepted reduced wages. | |
The move follows Carrie Gracie's resignation as BBC China editor in protest at unequal pay between male and female international editors. | |
Vine said: "It needs to be sorted out and I support my female colleagues." | |
The Radio 2 and Eggheads presenter was the best-paid of the group, earning between £700,000-£749,999 in 2016/17. The new salaries haven't been revealed. | |
Of the six, Jon Sopel, the BBC's North America editor, earned the least, in the £200,000-£249,999 bracket - compared to Carrie Gracie's £135,000-a-year salary. | |
'Further conversations' | |
The BBC revealed the pay of on-air talent earning over £150,000 in July, with two-thirds of stars on the list being men. | |
A BBC statement said: "We are very grateful to Huw Edwards, Nicky Campbell, John Humphrys, Jon Sopel, Nick Robinson and Jeremy Vine, who have agreed that their pay will now be reduced. | |
"These are great journalists and presenters, who have a real connection with the audience. We are proud to have them working at the BBC. | |
"The final details of some of these changes are still being discussed, and there are further conversations that the BBC will have with others in due course." | |
On his way into work at Radio 2 on Friday, Jeremy Vine was asked by reporters why he had agreed to a lower wage. | On his way into work at Radio 2 on Friday, Jeremy Vine was asked by reporters why he had agreed to a lower wage. |
"I think it needs to be sorted out and I support my female colleagues who have rightly said they should be paid the same when they're doing the same job," he said. | "I think it needs to be sorted out and I support my female colleagues who have rightly said they should be paid the same when they're doing the same job," he said. |
"It's just a no-brainer, so it wasn't a problem for me to accept one [a pay cut]." | |
When asked if it was up to the BBC or individuals to sort out the problem, he added: "I think the BBC's on it and this story is part of it." | When asked if it was up to the BBC or individuals to sort out the problem, he added: "I think the BBC's on it and this story is part of it." |
Asked if he was aware of the problem before Carrie Gracie stepped down as China editor, he said: "Of course." | |
Nicky Campbell confirmed on BBC 5 live's Breakfast show on Friday that he had taken a pay cut. | Nicky Campbell confirmed on BBC 5 live's Breakfast show on Friday that he had taken a pay cut. |
BBC taking 'a range of action' | |
An independent audit into equal pay at the BBC will be published next week. | An independent audit into equal pay at the BBC will be published next week. |
When the list of the best-paid BBC presenters that was published last summer, Chris Evans was at the top, earning between £2.2m and £2.25m in 2016/2017. | |
The highest-paid woman, Claudia Winkleman, earned significantly less - between £450,000 and £500,000. | The highest-paid woman, Claudia Winkleman, earned significantly less - between £450,000 and £500,000. |
BBC media editor Amol Rajan said while competition in the entertainment industry had intensified, the opposite had happened in news. | |
"Many of those now taking pay cuts secured generous deals years ago," he said. | "Many of those now taking pay cuts secured generous deals years ago," he said. |
"That world has disappeared - and these presenters now accept that a chunk of their salaries will have to disappear with it." | "That world has disappeared - and these presenters now accept that a chunk of their salaries will have to disappear with it." |
After leaving her post as China editor, Gracie is now returning to the BBC newsroom in London, saying she expects to be "paid equally". | |
She is due to appear before a select committee of MPs next week, shortly before director general of the BBC Tony Hall, his deputy Anne Bulford and director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth. | |
They were called to discuss what action the corporation is taking to address the gender pay gap. | They were called to discuss what action the corporation is taking to address the gender pay gap. |
There have been three investigations into gender pay at the BBC: | There have been three investigations into gender pay at the BBC: |
Lord Hall pledged to close the gap by 2020, saying the corporation should be "an exemplar of what can be achieved when it comes to pay, fairness, gender and representation". | Lord Hall pledged to close the gap by 2020, saying the corporation should be "an exemplar of what can be achieved when it comes to pay, fairness, gender and representation". |