Meanwhile, a freedom of information request from The Times has forced the BBC to reveal that "more than 2,700 BBC staff were handed pay rises of more than 10 per cent last year, despite the corporation’s claims that it does not have enough money":
The median increase was £4,979, and the total cost to licence fee-payers is £17.8 million a year. The BBC’s total headcount is about 18,200, indicating that about 14 per cent of the workforce were given substantial pay rises.
The top five comments beneath the Times report are all pretty much of one mind:
- BBC’s latest accounts show £523m in cash!!! Bloated, arrogant state organisation which requires restructuring to remain relevant.
- Further evidence the BBC has lost touch with reality.
- The gravy train rolls on. The BBC, financed by a tax for owning a television, needs sorting out. For a start make it a subscription service.
- 10% - absurd - when so many millions only receive 1, or 2 or at best a 3% pay rise. The BBC needs to be held more to account. Perhaps we should all refuse to pay our TV licence, until such indefensible and irresponsible pay awards are checked, and the pay of already grossly overpaid presenters is frozen or reduced.
- Noses in the trough. Abolish the licence fee and make it s subscription channel. They can then pay them what they like.
