Today’s Telegraph ran a story that I first heard about last month, that BBC presenters earning more than the Prime Minister will be “named and shamed” within weeks if David Cameron wins the general election.
The Conservative Party are working on plans to cut the size and scope of the BBC, which receives £3.6 billion a year from licence fee payers. I love the BBC, but there is no doubt that are too big, too unaccountable and too expensive.
The Shadow Minister with responsibility for the Media, Jeremy Hunt said there should be “total transparency” on their fees and salaries. “The public should know what they are paying for,” he said.
Pay cuts would form part of the renegotiation of the licence fee due in 2012. The BBC spends £54 million on stars earning more than £150,000 a year and another £16 million on those earning £100,000 to £150,000.
Jonathan Ross, who is leaving in the summer, is paid £6 million per year, or nearly three per cent of the entire budget for “talent”.
The top pay bracket also includes Fiona Bruce, who is said to earn £500,000 for reading the news and presenting Antiques Roadshow, and Graham Norton, who is reported to earn £2 million per year.
Others on large contracts include Jeremy Paxman, with a reported £1 million annual package, and Kirsty Young, the Desert Island Discs and Crimewatch presenter, who is thought to earn around £500,000.
Under Labour the fat cats are paid out of the public purse. The Conservatives are going to sort it out.
I am STANDING FOR CHANGE. As the Member of Parliament for Erith & Thamesmead I will fight for local people and make sure that our constituency gets the strong leadership it deserves. Like most people, I am sick and tired of the way that this area has been let down by the Labour Party who have taken us for granted. If I am going to bring dynamic political leadership to our area, I need YOUR VOTE! Married with four children, I am actively involved in my church, council and charities.