This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8149036.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
BBC chiefs' bonuses 'suspended' BBC chiefs' bonuses are suspended
(40 minutes later)
Bonuses for the 10 most senior BBC executives are to be suspended indefinitely, the chairman of the BBC Trust has said. Bonuses for the 10 most senior BBC executives are to be suspended indefinitely, the chairman of the BBC Trust has announced.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Sir Michael Lyons said some salaries could "appear too high" during the recession. Sir Michael Lyons said their pay was still regarded as "generous" despite a 7% fall and a review was under way.
Executives had already agreed not to receive pay rises or bonuses this year. As the BBC's annual report was unveiled, Sir Michael also responded to criticism from culture secretary Ben Bradshaw about sharing the licence fee.
Salaries are likely to top the agenda in the BBC's annual report which comes out later, along with the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross scandal. Sir Michael maintained plans are "a threat to the independence of the BBC".
'Wage restraint''Wage restraint'
The BBC Trust publication, which gives licence fee payers a chance to examine the corporation's activities, is expected to explain how staff handled the situation. Mr Bradshaw has said it is "self-defeating" of BBC managers to oppose plans to share the licence fee with other broadcasters.
BBC EXECUTIVES - 2007/8 BONUSES John Smith - BBC Worldwide £88,000Mark Byford - Deputy Director General £41,000Ashley Highfield - Former head, Future Media & Technology £34,000Stephen Kelly - Director, BBC People £33,000Mark Thompson - Director General - waived bonus Source: BBC Annual Report 2007/8BBC EXECUTIVES - 2007/8 BONUSES John Smith - BBC Worldwide £88,000Mark Byford - Deputy Director General £41,000Ashley Highfield - Former head, Future Media & Technology £34,000Stephen Kelly - Director, BBC People £33,000Mark Thompson - Director General - waived bonus Source: BBC Annual Report 2007/8
The incident, which took place last October, saw Brand resign from his Radio 2 Show and Ross suspended for three months, while head of Radio 2 Lesley Douglas also quit her post.
Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw has said it is "self-defeating" of BBC managers to oppose plans to share the licence fee with other broadcasters.
The BBC said it would respond to the comments at a news conference on Tuesday.
The corporation is currently trying to cut its costs and save £1.7bn between now and 2013.The corporation is currently trying to cut its costs and save £1.7bn between now and 2013.
Sir Michael's announcement came after widespread criticism of high salaries and expenses among BBC top brass.Sir Michael's announcement came after widespread criticism of high salaries and expenses among BBC top brass.
Writing in the Telegraph, Sir Michael said: "I can reveal that we have already reached agreement that Executive Board bonus payments will be suspended until further notice and not reintroduced without the Trust's approval." Writing in the Daily Telegraph ahead of the report's publication, Sir Michael said: "I can reveal that we have already reached agreement that Executive Board bonus payments will be suspended until further notice and not reintroduced without the Trust's approval."
He said the Trust had "consistently emphasised the need for wage restraint", although he acknowledged that competitive salaries were needed to retain the best staff.He said the Trust had "consistently emphasised the need for wage restraint", although he acknowledged that competitive salaries were needed to retain the best staff.
Sir Michael said: "We must, however, also ensure that we maintain the trust and confidence of those who pay for the BBC - the licence fee paying public.Sir Michael said: "We must, however, also ensure that we maintain the trust and confidence of those who pay for the BBC - the licence fee paying public.
"We have to be sensitive to the prevailing economic wind which currently can make the top BBC salaries appear too high.""We have to be sensitive to the prevailing economic wind which currently can make the top BBC salaries appear too high."
Last July, Director General Mark Thompson defended the decision to award pay rises of up to £107,000 each for the BBC's executive directors.Last July, Director General Mark Thompson defended the decision to award pay rises of up to £107,000 each for the BBC's executive directors.
'Feeling of despair''Feeling of despair'
He did, however, waive his own right to a bonus because of the "scale of disruption and uncertainty" facing his BBC colleagues.He did, however, waive his own right to a bonus because of the "scale of disruption and uncertainty" facing his BBC colleagues.
I think it is wrong-headed and ultimately self-defeating Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw on the BBC's licence fee positionI think it is wrong-headed and ultimately self-defeating Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw on the BBC's licence fee position
But it is also facing new challenges to its funding after the government outlined proposals to allocate 3.5% of the licence fee to other broadcasters including ITV to fund the provision of regional news and children's programming.But it is also facing new challenges to its funding after the government outlined proposals to allocate 3.5% of the licence fee to other broadcasters including ITV to fund the provision of regional news and children's programming.
Mr Thompson said "under no circumstances" would it be a good idea and Sir Michael said it would "damage BBC output".Mr Thompson said "under no circumstances" would it be a good idea and Sir Michael said it would "damage BBC output".
But speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Bradshaw said they had lost the confidence of many of their senior staff over the issue.But speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Bradshaw said they had lost the confidence of many of their senior staff over the issue.
He said: "There is almost a feeling of despair among a lot of highly respected BBC professionals.He said: "There is almost a feeling of despair among a lot of highly respected BBC professionals.
"I don't know why they have adopted this position. I don't think it's sensible. I think it is wrong-headed and ultimately self-defeating.""I don't know why they have adopted this position. I don't think it's sensible. I think it is wrong-headed and ultimately self-defeating."
The BBC Trust publication gives licence fee payers a chance to examine the corporation's activities.