Britain’s public broadcaster BBC came under fire on Wednesday (July 19) for its gender pay imbalance after it was forced to reveal how much it pays its top-earning talent.
BBC was forced to release a list of its employees paid more than £150,000 (S$267,200) between 2016/2017, for the first time in 94 years.
The list shows that more than 200 names feature on the list – which includes executives, actors, presenters, writers and technicians – but only one third are women.
According to AFP, former Top Gear host Chris Evans was the highest-paid person, earning over £2.2 million, while presenter Claudia Winkleman was named as the top female earner, pocketing more than £450,000. Winkleman hosts “Strictly Come Dancing”, Britain’s version of “Dancing With The Stars”.
BBC’s Director-General Lord Hall defended the organisation’s high salaries, telling BBC radio earlier in the day that it operates in a “very competitive market”.
He argued that the BBC had reduced talent salaries by 25 percent in the past four years and said publishing the list was a “bad idea” because it could tempt other companies to poach talent.
Former footballer turned presenter Gary Lineker was the BBC’s second-highest earner last year, pocketing £1.7 million. Ex-tennis professional John McEnroe earned (more than £150,000) and Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi (over £200,000).
Presenter Graham Norton also appeared on the list for his radio hosting duty for which he pocketed £850,000, but his overall income is believed to be much higher. The sum did not include his salary for his famous chat show because it is produced by an independent company.
via: INFORMATION NIGERIA
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