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| Social inequality is as much a problem as gender inequality | |
| (6 months later) | |
| Sun 30 Jul 2017 00.04 BST | |
| Last modified on Sat 2 Dec 2017 02.54 GMT | |
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| There has been widespread anger about the inequalities of pay within the BBC, which is justifiable because any civilised organisation or society would aim to give all people equal opportunity or reward, regardless of gender, ethnic background, class etc. | There has been widespread anger about the inequalities of pay within the BBC, which is justifiable because any civilised organisation or society would aim to give all people equal opportunity or reward, regardless of gender, ethnic background, class etc. |
| However, surely the most insidious inequality in our society remains social inequality. I don’t wish to judge anyone by circumstances of birth, but our society does and in a very negative way for a good proportion of those at the lower end of the social ladder. The supreme court judges were never “enemies of the people”, but they were never representative of the people. | However, surely the most insidious inequality in our society remains social inequality. I don’t wish to judge anyone by circumstances of birth, but our society does and in a very negative way for a good proportion of those at the lower end of the social ladder. The supreme court judges were never “enemies of the people”, but they were never representative of the people. |
| The female BBC presenters now complaining about their pay have every right to, but I wonder how many of them went to public school. | The female BBC presenters now complaining about their pay have every right to, but I wonder how many of them went to public school. |
| I think the latest report by the Sutton Trust (which deserves great credit for its work on social mobility) showed that the 7% of privately educated people still dominate 70% of the leading jobs in this country, which includes high-end media. This is no longer acceptable in a society claiming to be committed to diversity. | I think the latest report by the Sutton Trust (which deserves great credit for its work on social mobility) showed that the 7% of privately educated people still dominate 70% of the leading jobs in this country, which includes high-end media. This is no longer acceptable in a society claiming to be committed to diversity. |
| It is right when people get angry about inequality and lack of representation, but when are we going to deal seriously with this running sore?Michael DillonSheerness, Kent | It is right when people get angry about inequality and lack of representation, but when are we going to deal seriously with this running sore?Michael DillonSheerness, Kent |
| Publication of the pay of some BBC presenters provided respite for a beleaguered prime minister trying hard to establish her authority and an unpopular government that seems incapable of improving people’s lives. Foremost among the critics, I note, was our prime minister. While the BBC must put its house in order, I don’t think we should naively follow our leader’s line. | Publication of the pay of some BBC presenters provided respite for a beleaguered prime minister trying hard to establish her authority and an unpopular government that seems incapable of improving people’s lives. Foremost among the critics, I note, was our prime minister. While the BBC must put its house in order, I don’t think we should naively follow our leader’s line. |
| Over-exuberant criticism undermines the BBC’s credibility and makes its vital role of holding the executive to account more challenging. Call me cynical, but I don’t believe the government’s eagerness to have these figures published was motivated solely by a passion for gender equality and BAME rights.Dr Rajith de SilvaBrentwood, Essex | Over-exuberant criticism undermines the BBC’s credibility and makes its vital role of holding the executive to account more challenging. Call me cynical, but I don’t believe the government’s eagerness to have these figures published was motivated solely by a passion for gender equality and BAME rights.Dr Rajith de SilvaBrentwood, Essex |
| At last, a newspaper that goes to the heart of the BBC’s unequal pay structure (“Revealed: how hundreds of BBC employees earn 1% of Chris Evans’s wages,” News). Bravo to you! | At last, a newspaper that goes to the heart of the BBC’s unequal pay structure (“Revealed: how hundreds of BBC employees earn 1% of Chris Evans’s wages,” News). Bravo to you! |
| The gender and the diversity pay gaps are extremely significant, but the corporation’s email to the broadcasting union, Bectu, is more shocking and must be addressed immediately. | The gender and the diversity pay gaps are extremely significant, but the corporation’s email to the broadcasting union, Bectu, is more shocking and must be addressed immediately. |
| I am sure that Chris Evans is a multitalented individual, employed as a highly regarded radio/TV presenter, but is it fair, is it ethically right, that he should be earning 100 times more than other talented BBC employees? | I am sure that Chris Evans is a multitalented individual, employed as a highly regarded radio/TV presenter, but is it fair, is it ethically right, that he should be earning 100 times more than other talented BBC employees? |
| Michael A HobbinsWoking, Surrey | Michael A HobbinsWoking, Surrey |
| All the emphasis seems to be on raising the salaries of women to equal men at the BBC, but wouldn’t it be wiser to reduce the enormous salaries being paid to many male BBC employees? | All the emphasis seems to be on raising the salaries of women to equal men at the BBC, but wouldn’t it be wiser to reduce the enormous salaries being paid to many male BBC employees? |
| A large gap between rich and poor is unhealthy in a society and the BBC, among many others, is encouraging this gap. Instead of capping pay rises among the lower paid, shouldn’t there be a cap on salaries paid from the public purse. Perhaps £200,000? | A large gap between rich and poor is unhealthy in a society and the BBC, among many others, is encouraging this gap. Instead of capping pay rises among the lower paid, shouldn’t there be a cap on salaries paid from the public purse. Perhaps £200,000? |
| The excuse will be: “But we have to pay a lot to get the best people”, implying that they do it for the salary, not the job, unlike teachers, policemen and other public servants.Peter BarborChard, Somerset | The excuse will be: “But we have to pay a lot to get the best people”, implying that they do it for the salary, not the job, unlike teachers, policemen and other public servants.Peter BarborChard, Somerset |
| I am appalled to see you joining the eager BBC bashers when, even in your story you report Claire Enders, a media analyst, saying: “The BBC is doing more than most media organisations to bridge the pay gap.” Half of the employees in the whole of Britain earn less than 1% of Evans’s wage and he is a minnow in the real business world. | I am appalled to see you joining the eager BBC bashers when, even in your story you report Claire Enders, a media analyst, saying: “The BBC is doing more than most media organisations to bridge the pay gap.” Half of the employees in the whole of Britain earn less than 1% of Evans’s wage and he is a minnow in the real business world. |
| This is a phoney fight by the Tories, who don’t like the BBC’s independence. I will lay odds that the gender pay gap at the BBC is narrower than in any other major company in Britain. David ReedLondon NW3 | This is a phoney fight by the Tories, who don’t like the BBC’s independence. I will lay odds that the gender pay gap at the BBC is narrower than in any other major company in Britain. David ReedLondon NW3 |
| BBC | |
| The big issue | |
| Inequality | |
| Social mobility | |
| Pay | |
| Work & careers | |
| letters | |
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