MPs slam the BBC for handing staff a taxpayer-funded pay rise

‘A bizarre decision while everybody else is struggling’: MPs slam the BBC for handing staff a 5.2 per cent taxpayer-funded pay rise

  • The BBC has been criticised by MPs for giving staff a 5.2 per cent pay rise 
  • It came as frontline public sector workers are getting no more than 3 per cent   
  • Sir John Hayes said it made it ‘harder’ to back the BBC’s public money funding

The BBC has been criticised by MPs for giving staff a 5.2 per cent taxpayer-funded pay rise while frontline public sector workers are getting no more than 3 per cent.

Tory MP Sir John Hayes said the move makes it ‘harder and harder’ to support the BBC being funded by public money and that its first priority should have been bringing back free TV licences for over-75s.

DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr said he had received letters from constituents urging MPs to ‘stop this ridiculous pay rise’. 

Tory MP Sir John Hayes (pictured) said the move makes it ‘harder and harder’ to support the BBC being funded by public money and that its first priority should have been bringing back free TV licences for over-75s

The pay rise comes as the broadcaster, headed up by Director General Tim Davie (pictured), faces an exodus of top level talent

Last week, the BBC announced most of its staff will get a 5.2 per cent pay rise in 2022-23 – split into 4.2 per cent in August and a further 1 per cent later in the tax year (File image)

He called for a ‘complete reform of the BBC’s payment structures’.

Last week, the BBC announced most of its staff will get a 5.2 per cent pay rise in 2022-23 – split into 4.2 per cent in August and a further 1 per cent later in the tax year.

Police officers, NHS staff and other frontline workers are only seeing up to 3 per cent rises this year. 

Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: ‘It is a bizarre decision that while everybody else is struggling, the BBC uses public funds to increase staff pay.’

The BBC insisted the pay rise is needed for it to compete with rival broadcasters, and added that the increase is below the current inflation rate of 7 per cent. 

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