MPs attack BBC for ‘failing to live up to its duty’ over pay

THE BBC is failing female employees who suffer under an “invidious culture” of discrimination against women, a report on pay equality at the broadcaster has said.

The evidence is part of a report published by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee.

The broadcaster was branded a “disgrace” for allegedly coercing staff to take on work with no rights to sick pay, maternity leave, pensions or other benefits.

An inquiry into equal pay at the corporation was launched by the committee following the resignation of Carrie Gracie, inset.

Gracie, the BBC’s former China editor, spoke out after learning she was earning £135,000 compared to her male counterpart Jon Sopel who earned between £200,000 and £249,999.

The report further claimed that salaries are set by “an opaque system of discretionary decisions by individual managers”, who have “devolved powers to make their own personal choices on staff pay”. It stated: “The Equality Act 2010 states that men and women must be paid the same for doing the same work, like work and work of equal value. “The BBC (as a public sector employer) has an even higher level of duty to advance equality of opportunity. “The BBC has failed to live up to this duty. Our evidence suggests women within the BBC are working in comparable jobs to men but earning far less.” It continued: “The corporation was unable to give us a good reason for why or how pay discrimination has been left unchallenged for so long. “The BBC must take urgent action to remove discriminatory pay practice and its legacy from the organisation.” In response to the committee’s findings, the BBC said: “While we still have more to do, much of this report is already out of date.”