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The astonishing salaries and expenses claims of the BBC's most senior executives are revealed for the first time today.
They show the corporations's 50 highest earning executives take home up to £13.8 million in taxpayers' money between them.
The new figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act also reveal a series of extraordinary expenses claims filed by its ten board members in a dossier that runs to hundreds of pages.
They range from petty claims for items such as wrapping paper and a £100 bouquet of flowers for Jonathan Ross to tens of thousands of pounds spent on air travel and stays in some of the world's most luxurious hotels.
BBC directors also routinely claim for thousands on leaving dos and taking each other out for lunch and dinner.
The salaries of the executive board members of the publicly-funded corporation range between £310,000 and £650,000 excluding bonuses.
The top 50 earners involved in running the corporation are all paid a minimum of £160,000, with most on more than £200,000 according to the extraordinary figures published today. They do not include details of salaries of its star presenters which are being withheld.
Mark Thompson, the Director General of the BBC, earns the most with £647,000 a year as a basic salary plus bonuses.
His second in command, Mark Byford is paid £459,000 in licence fee-payers' money.
The expenses claims cover the ten people on the board over a five year period from April 2004 to April 2009.
The claims include a £99 bottle of champagne for Sir Bruce Forsyth, two iPods for the then director of new media Ashley Highfield and a string of taxi bills.
Jana Bennett, the £406,000-a-year director of BBC Vision claimed £500 after her handbag was stolen “while on official business”.
Directors travelled to some of the world's leading hotels and made dozens of foreign trips.
Ms Bennett bought Pimms and Harrods teddy bears to take as “gifts” when travelling. One claimed more than £600 for cancelling unrefundable air tickets.
A series of expensive Christmas parties, leaving celebrations, “catch-ups” and “thank-yous” are listed. No receipts to detail where the entertaining took place has been disclosed.
Click here to see the BBC's 2008-2009 expenses (pdf)
Click here to see the BBC's 2007-2008 expenses (pdf)
Click here to see the BBC's 2006-2007 expenses (pdf)
Click here to see the BBC's 2005-2006 expenses (pdf)
Click here to see the BBC's 2004-2005 expenses (pdf)
Reader views (42)
well i wont be paying any more license fees !and i demand everyone else doesnt pay on their next renewal . same goes for our council tax
- Ketlan Osswoski, Morecambe, 26/06/2009 08:38
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If the UK is not careful it will destroy every UK industry with this pathetic 'transparent, democracy' argument. In most businesses ( including journalism) it is necessary to wine and dine, travel, entertain. In the entertainment business there is a tradition of 'gifts' in the green room. I agree the figures are extortionate , a Bunch of flowers for £100 seems a high price to pay to satisfy an ego.( mind you it is a very big ego). Some families here would live off that for 2 weeks!
Now some journalists ( There are many in the BBC) will be taking a pop at each other and realising what it is like to have your privacy invaded, but be careful. Restaurants , taxi firms, duck house builders and Florists , will all suffer if we keep digging the dirt on UK Plc. A lot of industries thrive off the 'expenses accounts'. When I was last in London the black cab driver ( another great British service) complained that the banks had stopped their staff using black cabs before 10pm.
The BBC is respected around the world and believe me, this is nothing compared to some countries.Time to write about a recovery instead of all this bitching.
- Guy, Shanghai, China, 26/06/2009 01:12
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If you're going to pay a Deputy Directoir General half a million quid, why not let him execute his accountabilities instead of allowing his Master to come back from his jolly hollybobs at OUR expense.
- Tangomike, Kensington, London, 25/06/2009 22:34
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It is very nice of the BBC bosses to throw themselves on their swords but I hope this is not to hoodwink the licence paying public with obscene salaries paid to their talentless and overrated presenters. How about trying to justify the salaries of Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton, Jeremy Clarkson and the rest of those overpaid buffons? In this climate BBC would do well to employ fresh talents rather than one talentless presenter covering so many different programmes and subjects that they are not qualified to present.
- S Cooper, London, 25/06/2009 21:41
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The public are compelled to pay for a TV/Radio licence and the attitude is that theres plenty more where that came from. The other broadcasters are now having to look at their expenditure notably ITV because advertisers wouldn't stand for this extravagant nonsense and who could blame them.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 25/06/2009 21:07
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From here it sounds like the license fee was a good idea whose time has passed.
- Gail Renard, Florida, USA, 25/06/2009 18:13
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The taxpayer/voter has the scent and is not going to let go, the taste of power now belongs to the people.
- Dave Morris, Sunderland UK, 25/06/2009 17:53
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The BBC today is like the many enormous nationalised industries were pre Thatcher, for which the public is compelled to pay,and which is accountable to no one in any meaningful sense. Some parts of it are worthwhile and important to the world. But so much is now dross. Slim it right down and flush the rubbish away. Or privatise it. The sun would still rise if that were done.
- Chris, London UK, 25/06/2009 17:38
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This is a tax, which is easily capable of reduction with a minimum of effort.
The fee has allowed an empire to be built, here and abroad, and that needs severe pruning, and a marked drop in the cost to the electorate (note I do not say taxpayer, although individuals pay and then again through their taxes for those not paying tax, but living off the taxpayer).
- Hugh, Middx, 25/06/2009 17:27
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What a load of RIP-OFF
- A.Taxpayer, london, 25/06/2009 17:14
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How were they caught? Did someone drive around in a sneaky van to locate persons stealing the licence payers' money?
- A Macmillan, Volos Greece, 25/06/2009 17:07
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Time for a change!!!! The BBC will always use the "market rate" argument when questioned on pay and expenses. This is false. The BBC is the largest company/player and through its size sets the market rate.
Question - why should we pay for flowers for Mr Ross??? I can not see any reason. Also should they be taxed as a benifit in kind???
- V, Home Counties, 25/06/2009 17:03
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THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT ENFORCES A LICENCE FEE IN THE UK JUST TO OWN A TV, IT IS DEPLORABLE IN A DEMOCRACY TO INFLICT A LICENCE FEE ON THE PUBLIC ,AND TO TOP IT ALL THE BBC HAVE SQUANDERED BILLIONS OF POUNDS ON A LOT OF ABSOLUTE BULL.... THE BRITS GET TREATED LIKE MUGGS OR GO TO JAIL FOR NOT HAVING A LICENCE ,AND THE MILLIONS THEY SPEND ON SO CALLED CELEBRITIES ,I DONT THINK THEY ARE IT IS AN AFFRONT I COULD GIVE YOU A LIST OF THE PAY SOME OF THEM RECIEVE AND IT WOULD MAKE YOUR HAIR STAND ON AIR ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO CHEAT AND HAND OUT PUBLIC MONEY LIKE CONFETTIE SHOULD ALL BE BROUGHT TO BOOK MAY BE THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO WATCH SOME OF THE ELDERLY OR SOME OF THE POOREST IN SOCIETY BEING FINED IN COURT AND THREATENED WITH JAIL IF THEY DONT PAY THIER FINE, IT IS DEPLORABLE AN AFRONT IN THIS DAY AND AGE TO CHARGE ANYONE FOR OWNING A TV GORDON BROWN AND THE BEEP SHOULD HANG THIER HEADS IN SHAME SO MUCH FOR FREEDOM, LO LOL
- Jim Fennessey, london, 25/06/2009 16:57
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we must have a 24 hour t.v. station were the miscreants can appear and explain to the public taxpayers who are the VICTIMS of their SCAMS see if the people forgive them. NO ENQUIRIES we know the history of those. i am looking forward to them displaying their proceeds from crime
- John Patrick Green, nottingham, 25/06/2009 16:53
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It seems to me BBC could save a fortune if they gave their top executives offices where they could work and hold meetings. If you are apid a salary of £200,000 for roughly 200 days work a year, do they fill in their detailed expenses claims in their own time or in work time?
And what does the IR have to say about the atxix for home to work?
- Colin Macpherson, Gramat France, 25/06/2009 16:47
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Truly George Orwell was the one true Prophet!
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset, 25/06/2009 16:42
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Oh! David of London. The ordinary retired members of staff DO NOT receive a very large final salary pension as, perhaps, some executive do? It must be emphasised that members of the scheme are required to contribute a good portion of their salaries for this purpose. I believe I have heard it stressed that in the commercial sector there a some schemes which are contributory and non contributory.
Perhaps you might like to say what your position is or was?
- Arthur Lincoln, Roeselare, Belgium, 25/06/2009 16:25
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I find the BBC intensely irritating,-the people running it and the trashy programmes it produces with our cash,-its nothing more than an extortionate waste of fee payers money,Scrap it or open it up to adverts,-also please sack freeloading Thompson.
- Jacob, Canterbury Kent, 25/06/2009 16:21
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Those Liberal-Lefties @ the Beeb, like Labour, really know how to take the piss.
Did you know that the head of religious programming @ the Beeb is a Muslim poached from CH4? Great move, given 70% of the UK is Christian.
The Beeb is a socialist organisation who have turned their backs on the very people who fund it.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 25/06/2009 16:17
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You may find as I do that radio provides everything you need and the BBC radio is excellent - and free. You don't need a TV and you don't need to pay the licence fee.
- Neil, London, London UK, 25/06/2009 16:03
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Next let's have same info on the top layers of all local authorities (chief execs on 150k+ etc.) Another Labour scandal.
- Ken, France, 25/06/2009 15:57
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Hi Guys,
If you think the expenses rip off by politicions,and the bbc is "news" at the moment,wait till You find out about our local council and the police expenses that have been going on for years.
Not even the tip of the iceberg yet!!!
- Micheal Holmes, dubai uae, 25/06/2009 15:42
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Now that the BBC is being investigated lets go the whole hog and have a look at the Health Service Administration.
- Ian Burton, Kingston-upon-Hull, 25/06/2009 15:07
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The sooner we start scrutinising the expense claims of national and local civil servants the better. They have been riding this train for too long.
Bring it on.
- Pete, N1, 25/06/2009 14:52
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What I find so difficult to understand is why the BBC is to reticent about proving celebrity salary and bonus information. The licence fee is a tax that we all have to pay if we want to watch any television so there is no difference between disclosing what politicians or BBC stars receive. What does the BBC have to hide?
- Simon Ellis, London, 25/06/2009 14:50
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If a CEO interrupts his holiday to deal with a crisis at the office, it seems entirely reasonable that the costs arising should be met by the business.
Who could possibly begrudge national treasure Brucie a bottle of champagne on his birthday? However, the routine showering of gifts and hospitality upon already well paid "talent" is totally unacceptable.
Of more concern is the volume of claims for "Internal Hospitality". Are BBC staff gorging themselves at our expense during routine internal meetings? Some clarification is needed here.
The scope of this needs to be widened to embrace the entire public sector in order to sweep away the culture of secrecy and replace it with one of transparent accountability.
- John C, Leatherhead, UK, 25/06/2009 14:47
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The next publicly funded free-for-all to be exposed, reformed and dismantled. Particularly as this nationalised broadcaster appears have become the Anti British Broadcasting Corporation, rather than a champion for all.
- Ricky, Hackney, London, 25/06/2009 14:47
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Don't forget that the salary is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the taxpayers liability...that juicy final salary pension scheme is the icing on the cake...
Another example of pension apartheid that cannot be allowed to continue...
- David, London, 25/06/2009 14:44
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So pleased to see a bit of common sense from Adam, London. I think there is a real sense of hysteria at the moment. Of course any employer would have to bear the costs of bringing an employee home early, and their family (if they so chose), if they are required to return for work purposes. As to the comment that there was no need for the family to come back early - that is entirely a personal decision for the family - an employer be that public or private sector, should not have the right to dictate that the family stay on holiday without their husband/father. Come on people get a grip stop jumping on the bandwagon and moaning about things like this and concentrate on the real issues.
- Mandy, London, 25/06/2009 14:22
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The BBC needs an Enama - it stinks like yesterday's nappy!
Scrap the tax now!
- Taxfreetv, London, 25/06/2009 14:17
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I don't see what the problem is. He had to cut his holiday short to deal with an urgent problem.
- James Mcilwraith, London, 25/06/2009 14:12
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Using the phone or video conferencing would have been cheaper and just as effective. Or didn't he know the Italian for "videoconferenza"? Poor self-important dear!
- A. Cameron, Liege, Belgium, 25/06/2009 14:06
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I'm not surprised that these people waste OUR money it is just normal behaviour and they see nothing wrong with it until they get caught that is.
- Mike M, Bedford England, 25/06/2009 14:05
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This is not newsworthy, none of these expenses are particularly ott.. two grand to fly a whole family back from Italy at short notice is what it costs and paying for his ticket is the least they can do when he is cutting his holiday short to come back to deal with a work issue..
- Nick, Islington, London, 25/06/2009 14:04
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Michael of SW3: I don't know enough about the Thompson case to comment, but he is not a civil servant. The civil service in this Country is one of the least corrupt in the World (by all international standards e.g. Transparency International). Expenses are subject to lots of intrenal checks. Please don't start dragging down another British institution when you are so obviously lacking the basic facts.
- Alan, London, 25/06/2009 13:54
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BBC, MP's, Lords, Police, Top Civil Servants, Gorbals Mick with his House of Conmen credit card, there is no end to the number of wombles who are adept at spending money which is not theirs to spend.
I know I may have blinked twice since the MP's expenses scandal broke all those weeks ago - but I do not recollect the Police arresting anyone yet for fraud of taxpayer's cash.
How delighted I am that I do not need a TV license!
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 25/06/2009 13:50
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He must be a truly horrible man. He had to fly home because of his work responsibilities and instead of his wife and children continuing their holiday in his absence, as most families would do, he made them go home as well. What a monster.
- Gloria G, London, UK, 25/06/2009 13:48
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help yourself BBC, it's licence fee-payers's money who's next?
- Fodil, LONDON, 25/06/2009 13:40
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As a public funded company, this type of expenses should not be allowed and I am surprised Mark Thompson would ask the company to fund his family's return and even surprised it was approved by the chairman.
- Max, Twickenham, 25/06/2009 13:38
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There was no need for his family to come back early. They were on holiday and if he came back to work (?) what was the point of them coming home.
Having permission (in advance!!) from the Chairman of the Audit Committee does not make it right.
- Gordonbay, London and Cape Town, 25/06/2009 13:32
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Lets not get carried away here. He had to cancel his holiday and fly back home early to deal with a crisis at his company. Hence the company pays. If his house had been robbed or a relation died, no doubt he would have paid if hey had flown back early. Same happens in any corporation.
- Adam, London, 25/06/2009 13:28
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NOT at bit suprised, they are afterall civil servants and everyone has known for YEARS that the BBC is one of the most wasteful organisations ever to exist.
- Michael James, SW3, 25/06/2009 12:59
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