Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ITV: WE’LL KEEP OUR STARS’ PAY SECRET
Boss steps in as rival hosts’ row escalates
BOSSES at ITV have vowed not to reveal their biggest stars’ salaries amid the continuing row over pay at rival broadcaster the BBC.
Chairman Sir Peter Bazalgette said the channel would “never discuss confidential contracts” after BBC earnings were revealed, resulting in the huge controversy over the gender pay divide.
His pledge came after ITV’S Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan was challenged by BBC Breakfast rival Dan Walker to reveal whether he earned the same as co-host Susanna Reid.
Morgan had chided Walker, whose pay was revealed to be up to £249,000 while his co-stars Louise Minchin and Sally Nugent got less than £150,000.
Walker, who also presents Football Focus, hit back: “We earn the same for breakfast. When are you and Susanna releasing your GMB pay? We’re all assuming you get paid the same?”
Morgan replied: “We pay our women very well over here mate.” Walker hit back: “That’s great to hear but ‘very well’ isn’t the same as ‘equal pay’. Stop avoiding the question.”
Their rivalry increased as GMB’S ratings rose 22% year-on-year last month, narrowing the gap on the BBC leader. Reid has said on Morgan’s pay: “I wouldn’t know because we are not obligated to the same level of transparency.” Sir Peter said: “We take gender issues, employment and pay very seriously. But we are a commercial broadcaster. The BBC is funded with public money. “We would never discuss confidential contracts for anyone working at ITV.” He said 52% of ITV’S 6,531 staff were female, and women accounted for 43% of its 146 senior managers. BBC chief Tony Hall has vowed to level out men’s and women’s pay by 2020.