Hell to pay over BBC wage shock

I agree with the Mirror’s criticism of the huge gender pay gap at the BBC (July 20). It’s wrong that BBC Breakfast newcomer Dan Walker’s salary tops that of his more experienced co-host Louise Minchin.

However, the high wages of the top BBC presenters and actors are a reflection of the salary levels of the entertainment industry in general, which tend to be exorbitant when compared with other professions.

It was ridiculous for the Government to insist the BBC reveals what its top stars earn without forcing other channels to do the same.

In my view, it was a deliberate ploy to undermine public support for our national broadcaster, which has been delivering top-quality news and entertainment programmes for more than 90 years. Pam Ferguson, North London The answer from those responding to criticism of the gender pay gap at the BBC seems to be to pay men less. But surely it should be to pay women the same as men for doing the same job? The Equal Pay Act of 1970 was brought in after the struggle by the Dagenham Ford workers, but how sad that there are still companies which seem to think that it’s OK that women are paid less. Gary Martin East London The lower-paid stars at the BBC are not underpaid – they are very well rewarded for the work they do. The top earners are grossly overpaid. The average licence payer can probably only dream of such salaries.

It’s time these people had a pay cut – not an increase for the women. Celia Osborne, Seaford, Brighton This Government hates the BBC because its reporters seek the truth – as such, they are priceless.

Former Culture Secretary John Whittingdale says licence payers have a right to know how much BBC employees earn, but why?

This is ridiculous and it’s borne out of pure vindictiveness on the part of the Government, which dislikes the corporation for holding it to account.

The BBC is a world-class organisation and we should be proud of it.

I don’t mind what the staff are paid if they continue to provide a high-quality service. Norman Hanson, Bingham, Notts There is obvious room for large cuts in pay at the BBC and then the licence fee needn’t go up.

I wonder what kind of inflated salary the top executives at the corporation are paid?

I can’t see any reason for these presenters to be getting anything over £100,000 a year – some hospital consultants get less. Robin Lenox Whippingham, Isle of Wight The BBC being forced to reveal its stars’ wages is just another Tory bid to destroy it. As a matter of fairness, all broadcasters should have to publish wages. J Randall Morley, West Yorks It’s a scandal that anyone working for the public-financed BBC should receive such huge wages. Barbara Yeoman Derby

Thank goodness we have self-service checkouts in most shops.

Now perhaps some people who have something to do, but not all day to do it in, can get what they want and go without listening to gossip from those who have got nothing to do, but all day to do it in! Eddie Taylor Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf