BBC chiefs' bonuses to be suspended indefinitely
BBC chiefs' bonuses to be suspended indefinitely
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By Adam Leveridge. |  |
Tuesday, 14, Jul 2009 11:39
By Lewis Bazley.
Annual bonuses for the most senior executives at the BBC have been suspended indefinitely, the chairman of the broadcaster's governing body has said.
Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC Trust, said the corporation recognised some salaries could "appear too high" in the current economic climate.
The news comes ahead of the broadcaster's publication of its annual reports and accounts on Tuesday.
"I can reveal that we have already reached agreement that executive board bonus payments will be suspended until further notice and not reintroduced without the trust's approval," Sir Michael wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
He confirmed a review of executive pay was ongoing, with findings due this coming autumn.
"In determining the right level of salaries for BBC staff we must be careful not to cut off our nose to spite our face, ending up without the skills and abilities which make the BBC the world-renowned organisation it is," he added.
"We must, however, also ensure that we maintain the trust and confidence of those who pay for the BBC - the licence fee-paying public."
His comments come after the BBC was publicly criticised by culture secretary Ben Bradshaw, who said BBC bosses were showing a "self-defeating" stance in their opposition to plans to share the licence fee with other broadcasters.
Sir Michael had claimed the plans would "damage BBC output" while BBC director general Mark Thompson said "under no circumstances" would 'top-slicing' the licence fee be advantageous.