BBC takes 'baby steps' in tackling stars’ top salaries

After the BBC shared details of what its top earners took home in the 2020/21 financial year, the TaxPayers’ Alliance has revealed that it is taking “baby steps” in the right direction.

The BBC revealed that sports broadcaster and former footballer Gary Lineker once again topped the list as the BBC’s top earner.

In its annual report it showed that Lineker took home £1.36m in the 2020/21 financial year. This is down from £1.75m after he agreed to have his wages reduced last year.

Radio 2’s breakfast host Zoe Ball, who also agreed to take a pay cut after reports revealed that she believed it was inappropriate to earn £1.36m amid the pandemic, pocketed £1.13, making her the second-highest paid celebrity on the list.

However, Ball’s positioning has been met with criticism, not only due to the eye-watering sum, but because once again the highest paid spot was given to a male colleague.

Tackling high pay

Despite this, the wage bill for all on-air talent overall has been reduced by 10% to £130m – down from £144m last year. According to the BBC, wages for broadcasters earning more than £150,000 have been reduced by £2.2m.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “The Beeb is now taking baby steps in tackling top salaries.

“But these BBC pay packets are picked from the pockets of pensioners and taxpayers, who are fed up of the licence fee full stop.

“This is a move in the right direction, but it’s high time we axed the TV tax and stopped taxpayers’ money going to these media millionaires.”

Commenting on the report, Tim Davie, director general of the BBC, stated: “Clearly, as a management team, we want to get more value and are willing to make tough decisions to that extent.”

He noted that it was important to “maintain restraint in pay across the top talent” and would “continue to look for efficiency” savings in the future.

Among the list of the top earners also included Steve Wright who earnt £465,000, Huw Edwards who took home £425,000 and Fiona Bruce who received an annual sum of £405,000.