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Emily Maitlis mocks BBC pay gap as agent fights for new deal Emily Maitlis mocks BBC pay gap as agent fights for new deal
(about 1 hour later)
Emily Maitlis’s agent has criticised the BBC’s “madness” as the Newsnight presenter negotiates a new contract after she did not feature on the corporation’s first ever list of stars who earn more than £150,000 – while her male colleague Evan Davis did. Emily Maitlis’s agent has criticised the BBC’s “madness” as the Newsnight presenter negotiates a new contract after she did not feature on the corporation’s first-ever list of stars who earn more than £150,000 – while her male colleague Evan Davis did.
The BBC is facing a backlash from its female talent over pay after revealing that only a third of its 96 top earners are women and the top seven are all men. The BBC is facing a backlash from its female talent over pay after it revealed that only a third of its 96 top earners were women and the top seven were all men.
Matilis, 46, is currently out of contract and in talks over a new deal as it was revealed that fellow Newsnight presenter Davis earns up to £299,000 a year. Maitlis’s agent, Alex Armitage, tweeted on Wednesday night that her absence from the pay list was “beyond madness and being dealt with”. Matilis, 46, is currently out of contract and in talks over a new deal. It was revealed on Wednesday that her fellow Newsnight presenter Davis earns up to £299,000 a year. Maitlis’s agent, Alex Armitage, tweeted that her absence from the pay list was “beyond madness and being dealt with”.
Beyond madness and being dealt with.Beyond madness and being dealt with.
Referring to the issue at the TechUK conference on Wednesday, Maitlis joked: “You’re an industry doing so well, soon you’ll be able to afford a BBC man.”Referring to the issue at the TechUK conference on Wednesday, Maitlis joked: “You’re an industry doing so well, soon you’ll be able to afford a BBC man.”
Emily Maitlis at TechUK dinner: "You're an industry doing so well, soon you'll be able to afford a BBC man..." pic.twitter.com/GsGsdUijmeEmily Maitlis at TechUK dinner: "You're an industry doing so well, soon you'll be able to afford a BBC man..." pic.twitter.com/GsGsdUijme
The list of salaries revealed that Chris Evans, the BBC’s top-earning male personality, who collected at least £2.2m in the last financial year, was paid at least four times as much as the corporation’s highest-paid female, Claudia Winkleman, who collected between £450,000 and £500,000. The list of salaries revealed that Chris Evans, the BBC’s top-earning male personality, who collected at least £2.2m in the last financial year, was paid at least four times as much as the corporation’s highest-paid woman, Claudia Winkleman, who collected between £450,000 and £500,000.
Maitlis was reportedly among a number of BBC staff, including Radio 4’s Sarah Montague, who were offered pay rises ahead of the report’s release.Maitlis was reportedly among a number of BBC staff, including Radio 4’s Sarah Montague, who were offered pay rises ahead of the report’s release.
“They made her an offer and she did not accept it,” a source told the Sun newspaper. “As it stands, her future hangs in the balance. “They made her an offer and she did not accept it,” a source told the Sun newspaper. “As it stands, her future hangs in the balance. Emily is totally furious as she feels like she has been lied to. For her not to be on the list is unbelievable.”
“Emily is totally furious as she feels like she has been lied to. For her not to be on the list is unbelievable.” Montague’s co-presenter, John Humphrys, who was paid between £600,000–£649,999, said he was “not happy” that his female colleagues on the Today programme, Montague as well as Mishal Husain, who was paid £200,000 to £249,999, were not among the top 10 highest earners.
Montague’s co-presenter, John Humphrys, who was revealed to have been paid between £600,000–£649,999, said he was “not happy” that his female colleagues on the Today programme, Montague as well as Mishal Husain, who was paid £200,000 to £249,999, were not among the top 10 highest paid.
“I’m not happy with that. I don’t think that is right,” Humphrys said.“I’m not happy with that. I don’t think that is right,” Humphrys said.
Jane Garvey, the BBC radio presenter also absent from the pay list, hinted on Twitter at the frustration within the corporation. “I’m looking forward to presenting BBC Woman’s Hour today. We’ll be discussing #genderpaygap. As we’ve done since 1946. Going well, isn’t it?” Garvey said. Her comment was retweeted by both Maitlis and Montague.Jane Garvey, the BBC radio presenter also absent from the pay list, hinted on Twitter at the frustration within the corporation. “I’m looking forward to presenting BBC Woman’s Hour today. We’ll be discussing #genderpaygap. As we’ve done since 1946. Going well, isn’t it?” Garvey said. Her comment was retweeted by both Maitlis and Montague.
Radio 4 presenter Charlotte Smith tweeted: “I’m happy to accept a pay rise to help the BBC out with its gender pay gap problem”. Radio 4 presenter Charlotte Smith tweeted: “I’m happy to accept a pay rise to help the BBC out with its gender pay gap problem.”
BBC staff outside of the top salary bracket tweeted about their pay, including BBC 5 Live’s Rachel Burden:BBC staff outside of the top salary bracket tweeted about their pay, including BBC 5 Live’s Rachel Burden:
Whilst we're in the transparency game, and for those asking, I fall in the middle of the 100-150k category... 1/2 #bbcpayWhilst we're in the transparency game, and for those asking, I fall in the middle of the 100-150k category... 1/2 #bbcpay
This is a huge amount of money for a job I love doing 5 days a week, and I know what a privilege it is to be able to say that. 2/2This is a huge amount of money for a job I love doing 5 days a week, and I know what a privilege it is to be able to say that. 2/2
Good on Rachel for volunteering this. I'll do same: I earn £60,000 as a Political Correspondent. Best job in world https://t.co/N6jLiW75V8Good on Rachel for volunteering this. I'll do same: I earn £60,000 as a Political Correspondent. Best job in world https://t.co/N6jLiW75V8
Many of us are now doing this. Excellent. As I said some hours ago in 2016/17 I got £67,413 total BBC fees. https://t.co/u36F63SW6sMany of us are now doing this. Excellent. As I said some hours ago in 2016/17 I got £67,413 total BBC fees. https://t.co/u36F63SW6s
Among those voicing criticism was Theresa May, who said on LBC radio that the BBC must continue publishing its top salaries to prove it was tackling the problem. The prime minister said it was important the corporation looked at the “whole question of how they pay women and how they pay men for doing the same job”.Among those voicing criticism was Theresa May, who said on LBC radio that the BBC must continue publishing its top salaries to prove it was tackling the problem. The prime minister said it was important the corporation looked at the “whole question of how they pay women and how they pay men for doing the same job”.
Gary Lineker found himself under scrutiny after he made light of his £1.75m salary on Twitter, writing:Gary Lineker found himself under scrutiny after he made light of his £1.75m salary on Twitter, writing:
This whole BBC salary exposure business is an absolute outrage...I mean how can @achrisevans be on more than me?This whole BBC salary exposure business is an absolute outrage...I mean how can @achrisevans be on more than me?
The Match of the Day presenter’s agent, Jon Holmes, defended Lineker’s salary, saying: “I can only speak for sport but it is a gross failure for an agent if their clients are doing the same job [as men] on less money. The broadcaster is to blame too – they should pay them the same money.The Match of the Day presenter’s agent, Jon Holmes, defended Lineker’s salary, saying: “I can only speak for sport but it is a gross failure for an agent if their clients are doing the same job [as men] on less money. The broadcaster is to blame too – they should pay them the same money.
“If you go on a negotiating course they will tell you there is no one way to negotiate. I will say it’s better to lay your marker down, and as high as possible. The danger is they can’t afford it and run away.”“If you go on a negotiating course they will tell you there is no one way to negotiate. I will say it’s better to lay your marker down, and as high as possible. The danger is they can’t afford it and run away.”
Holmes added that Lineker “didn’t become the best paid [sports commentator] overnight ... he became the best paid from probably staying with one channel and probably getting better and other people coveting him. It’s natural for them to be competitive. He’s the only ex-professional who is also a frontline presenter on football.”Holmes added that Lineker “didn’t become the best paid [sports commentator] overnight ... he became the best paid from probably staying with one channel and probably getting better and other people coveting him. It’s natural for them to be competitive. He’s the only ex-professional who is also a frontline presenter on football.”
The agent said he believed the BBC was more transparent than other broadcasters, where female sports presenters have a difficult time. “I represented a female sports presenter, who shall remain nameless, who was told by a broadcaster she would never present football and to make sure she got a good job before her looks went,” said Holmes.The agent said he believed the BBC was more transparent than other broadcasters, where female sports presenters have a difficult time. “I represented a female sports presenter, who shall remain nameless, who was told by a broadcaster she would never present football and to make sure she got a good job before her looks went,” said Holmes.
Lawyers have warned the BBC may be in breach of equal pay laws. Bryony Goldspink, an employment lawyer at law firm Gordons, said: “This news does not come as a huge shock for anyone but it’s certainly something the BBC needs to address. Lawyers have warned that the BBC may be in breach of equal pay laws. Bryony Goldspink, an employment lawyer at law firm Gordons, said: “This news does not come as a huge shock for anyone but it’s certainly something the BBC needs to address.
“Why the pay gap is there and what needs to be done about it is key. Pay transparency is something fairly rare, particularly in some sectors. Pay is often shrouded in mystery. However this practice is unlikely to continue under new reporting legislation.“Why the pay gap is there and what needs to be done about it is key. Pay transparency is something fairly rare, particularly in some sectors. Pay is often shrouded in mystery. However this practice is unlikely to continue under new reporting legislation.
“Employees within the BBC are bound to make comparisons and questions will be asked. This will similarly be the case across large employers as pay reporting will highlight gender pay gaps and bring the issue to the forefront. This can only be a positive step and lead to action from large employers.”“Employees within the BBC are bound to make comparisons and questions will be asked. This will similarly be the case across large employers as pay reporting will highlight gender pay gaps and bring the issue to the forefront. This can only be a positive step and lead to action from large employers.”
Asked whether the BBC was expecting legal action over the gender pay gap, Tony Hall, the director-general, said the corporation would be “working carefully and managing our relationship with the talent on which we depend”. Asked whether the BBC was expecting legal action over the gender pay gap, Tony Hall, the BBC director-general, said the corporation would be “working carefully and managing our relationship with the talent on which we depend”.