BBC pay report to reveal who earns what as new salary system is unveiled

The BBC was bracing itself for a renewed pay storm ahead of the publication of a major independent review which could see the salaries of some of its top presenters slashed.

News presenters at the BBC could face a salary cap of £320,000 following outcry over gender pay inequality as women claim to have faced “veiled threats” over the subject of salary.

The BBC is due to publish its own review into pay arrangements for presenters, editors and correspondents today, along with an independent report from PriceWaterhouseCoopers on the salaries of top stars.

Damien Collins, Chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee said: "It is clear that the BBC still has a big problem in terms of gender pay.

"Whilst a few big names on high salaries have been the focus of media attention in recent weeks, we are concerned to see evidence suggesting a much deeper cultural problem that exists."

According to BBC reports, more than 150 women have put forward evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, ahead of a hearing on Wednesday.

A report by a group representing women at the BBC said they have faced "veiled threats" while trying to raise the subject of pay, while the broadcaster's China editor, Carrie Gracie, resigned in protest at pay inequality.

The £320,000 cap which has not yet been signed off on, emerged as BBC director-general Lord Hall prepared to be questioned by MPs over the broadcaster's pay culture.

On-air full time staff, presenters, editors and correspondents will all be affected by the cap but will have the opportunity to respond to all proposals, BBC News reported.

A number of the channel’s top male presenters have already agreed to have their pay cut in the wake of the row.

Male presenters who are due to have a salary cut include Jeremy Vine, Nicky Campbell, John Humphrys, Nick Robinson and Huw Edwards.

Figures released in 2017 showed Mr Vine was one of the corporation's highest paid stars, earning £700,000-£749,999; Humphrys, who presents the Radio 4 Today programme with Robinson, earned between £600,000 and £650,000 and BBC News presenter Edwards earned £550,000-£599,999.

Mr Vine hosts a weekday show on Radio 2, as well as featuring in BBC News' election coverage, while Mr Humphrys also presents Mastermind on BBC Two.

Veteran broadcaster Mr Humphrys agreed to cut his salary to around £250,000 to £300,000, saying the BBC is now in a different position financially to its past.

The Committee suggested that BBC reviews into pay disparity should have been launched sooner.

Given the information was "always within the reach of senior BBC executives. It would be right to ask why the various reviews into pay disparity that have been commissioned since last summer were not asked for sooner, so that action could be taken earlier," Mr Collins said.

"Given this, it is completely understandable why BBC Women have stated that they shouldn't be made to wait until 2020 for the BBC to deliver on a policy of equal pay."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC is committed to equal pay, and we don't accept the assertion we have not been complying with the Equality Act, nor do we offer inferior contracts based on someone's gender or race.

"We employ people in a wide variety of different ways, from fully employed to freelancer, often to suit the individual, and different types of contracts come with different benefits.

"We want to help women progress in their career and have set out ambitious targets to close the gender pay gap, as well as for half of roles on air and in senior management to be filled by women. We've also set out action to achieve them.

"We have already set out how we plan to deliver real pay transparency for our staff, and today we'll publish proposals to significantly change how we manage on-air pay so we have a clear, transparent and fair system for the future."