BBC row reveals obscene salaries

Much has come to light over the BBC gender pay gap but, frankly, I cannot understand how some presenters – whatever their sex – can be worth such inflated salaries.

I agree in principle there should be parity of salaries for a job well done regardless of gender, but for those stuck with the 1% pay cap, that same fairness of pay is as far away as ever.

For them, the gender pay gap doesn’t exist. It’s more a case of whoever you are, be prepared to work twice as hard, but we won’t pay you any extra.

I would guess that reading about TV presenters’ obscene salaries must invoke precious little sympathy.

Sue Lear, Forest of Dean, Glos

The gender pay gap is wrong, but the class pay gap is a national disgrace. No fewer than 45% of the BBC’s best paid staff were privately educated, over 50% of top bankers the same. In the law and military hierarchy it’s over 70%, compared to a national average of 7%. The injustice is overwhelming and the disregard for intelligent working class people immoral. Are we to believe that those who have a private education are more than six times more talented? Pull the other one, it’s jobs for the rich boys – and girls!

Neal Gordon West London

So, 40 of the BBC’s finest female journalists and presenters have signed a letter to Lord Hall of Birkenhead calling for an immediate end to paying female staff significantly less than their male counterparts. Good for them. All are highly intelligent and thoroughly professional women.

However, this issue goes much further than the 40 signatories to the letter. Legislation has existed for many years requiring pay equality – now it’s time to act. Equal work must lead to equal pay.

Harry Wright Letchworth Garden City, Herts

Paying women and people from ethnic minorities the same as their white male counterparts should be the norm, but this doesn’t address the exorbitant payments to the chosen few. Let’s be fair – none of these BBC presenters actually earn or are worth what they are paid.

Society needs to take a good look at itself and the way it rewards people who work in the public sector, especially when their remuneration exceeds that paid to our Prime Minister.

David Evans, Maesteg, Brigend

Emily Maitlis, Fiona Bruce and other highly qualified and professional BBC female broadcasters are quite right to demand action from the BBC director-general Lord Tony Hall on bringing their pay into line with their male counterparts. It’s shameful that an institution like the BBC has been exposed in this way.

Aileen Connelly, Birmingham

The gender pay gap must be addressed. I thought it was against the law to discriminate against women, so how have the BBC got away with it? Having said this, I find it diabolical that the BBC is paying celebrities, male and female, such vast amounts of money simply to present TV programmes.

David Marsden Bridlington East Yorks

Are we missing the point? Regardless of the gender pay gap, the BBC should not be paying these exorbitant salaries when they are funded by the licence payer.

Eric Barton Southampton

Great areas of our country are being torn up for more housing, yet the Government is destroying thousands of homes, villages and businesses just for the HS2. The costs are getting out of control. The money is needed elsewhere so should not be used so the idle rich can shave 30 minutes off a journey.

M Felgate, Kenilworth, Warks

It was reported in Saturday’s Mirror that Michael Gove received £17,000 on being sacked from the Cabinet. Did he repay it when he was reinstated? I very much doubt it.

Arthur Poole, Macclesfield, Cheshire

Congratulations to Mirror readers Harry and Edna Bell of Orrell Park, Liverpool who celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary today.