BBC salary cap on secretary’s agenda

New Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has suggested the BBC could follow the public sector and cap staff salaries at the same level as the Prime Minister.

Mr Hancock said the corporation had “missed a chance” to bring in similar measures as he contrasted the salaries of BBC foreign editors with those of ambassadors.

He also warned against measures passed by peers last week for tougher media regulation, calling them “the death knell of democracy”.

Mr Hancock’s comments come in the midst of a row over Carrie Gracie, who has resigned as the BBC’S China editor in a row over unequal pay.

North America editor Jon Sopel was listed as having a salary of between £200,000 and £249,999. Ms Gracie revealed she had been earning £135,000 before the BBC offered her a £45,000 rise.