This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/apr/25/bbc-tony-hall-cap-executive-payoffs

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
BBC boss Tony Hall pledges to cap payoffs for outgoing executives BBC boss Tony Hall pledges to cap payoffs for outgoing executives
(5 months later)
Recently appointed BBC director general Tony Hall has responded to controversy over big-money payoffs to senior executives with a plan to limit severance payouts to £150,000.Recently appointed BBC director general Tony Hall has responded to controversy over big-money payoffs to senior executives with a plan to limit severance payouts to £150,000.
Hall said he wanted a BBC in tune with the times and said he could no longer be "tone deaf" to public opinion. The corporation was accused of "rewarding failure" with the £450,000 payout to Hall's predecessor, George Entwistle, who resigned at the height of the Savile saga after just 54 days.Hall said he wanted a BBC in tune with the times and said he could no longer be "tone deaf" to public opinion. The corporation was accused of "rewarding failure" with the £450,000 payout to Hall's predecessor, George Entwistle, who resigned at the height of the Savile saga after just 54 days.
Making his first appearance before MPs on the culture, media and sport select committee on Thursday, Hall pledged to cut the bill for the BBC's senior management and said the £150,000 cap would be in line with civil service guidelines.Making his first appearance before MPs on the culture, media and sport select committee on Thursday, Hall pledged to cut the bill for the BBC's senior management and said the £150,000 cap would be in line with civil service guidelines.
He said the BBC had "too much bureaucracy, process and structures that hinder rather than help".He said the BBC had "too much bureaucracy, process and structures that hinder rather than help".
Around £4m has been paid out to 10 former BBC executives, including former deputy director general Mark Byford who was given £949,000. The cap will affect around 250 of the BBC's senior management.Around £4m has been paid out to 10 former BBC executives, including former deputy director general Mark Byford who was given £949,000. The cap will affect around 250 of the BBC's senior management.
The National Union of Journalists welcomed the announcement, with its general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, criticising "obscene payments … being paid while other members of the BBC were being forced out of their jobs".The National Union of Journalists welcomed the announcement, with its general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, criticising "obscene payments … being paid while other members of the BBC were being forced out of their jobs".
Hall defended the BBC's recent controversial Panorama programme to the committee, in which undercover reporter John Sweeney travelled to North Korea with a group of students from the London School of Economics. But he admitted it would have been better to get the students' written consent after three of them complained that the BBC had not properly briefed them about the risks of the trip.Hall defended the BBC's recent controversial Panorama programme to the committee, in which undercover reporter John Sweeney travelled to North Korea with a group of students from the London School of Economics. But he admitted it would have been better to get the students' written consent after three of them complained that the BBC had not properly briefed them about the risks of the trip.
Lord Patten, the chairman of the BBC Trust who appeared alongside Hall, said the trust would investigate the affair. "I hope one result of this unfortunate argument … is we can avoid something like this happening again," said Patten.Lord Patten, the chairman of the BBC Trust who appeared alongside Hall, said the trust would investigate the affair. "I hope one result of this unfortunate argument … is we can avoid something like this happening again," said Patten.
Hall, the former Royal Opera House chief executive, recently appointed several key aides including former Times editor James Harding and ex-Labour cabinet minister, James Purnell.Hall, the former Royal Opera House chief executive, recently appointed several key aides including former Times editor James Harding and ex-Labour cabinet minister, James Purnell.
He said Purnell, a former culture secretary, was an "outstanding character" who had "hung his boots up at the door and left politics behind".He said Purnell, a former culture secretary, was an "outstanding character" who had "hung his boots up at the door and left politics behind".
He defended another senior BBC executive, Helen Boaden, the former director of BBC News who was heavily criticised in the Pollard report into the Savile affair but remained at the BBC and was moved to a new job as head of radio.He defended another senior BBC executive, Helen Boaden, the former director of BBC News who was heavily criticised in the Pollard report into the Savile affair but remained at the BBC and was moved to a new job as head of radio.
Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said it "gives the impression, fairly or unfairly, that there is a management cadre who just look after each other and watch each others' interests and backs".Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said it "gives the impression, fairly or unfairly, that there is a management cadre who just look after each other and watch each others' interests and backs".
But Hall said a number of BBC executives who had moved roles after the Pollard report had suffered a "public humiliation".But Hall said a number of BBC executives who had moved roles after the Pollard report had suffered a "public humiliation".
Elsewhere during the two-and-a-half hour session, Hall said he was pleased with the BBC's "appropriate" level of coverage of Lady Thatcher's death and funeral. Asked about complaints that the BBC had devoted too much airtime to the former prime minister, Hall said he would "rather be criticised for doing too much than too little".Elsewhere during the two-and-a-half hour session, Hall said he was pleased with the BBC's "appropriate" level of coverage of Lady Thatcher's death and funeral. Asked about complaints that the BBC had devoted too much airtime to the former prime minister, Hall said he would "rather be criticised for doing too much than too little".
He revealed he would take the unusual step for a director general of sitting on the board of executives who will interview and appoint the next Newsnight editor. He said the BBC2 show was one of the BBC's most important programmes and may get a budget increase despite on-going cuts elsewhere in the corporation.He revealed he would take the unusual step for a director general of sitting on the board of executives who will interview and appoint the next Newsnight editor. He said the BBC2 show was one of the BBC's most important programmes and may get a budget increase despite on-going cuts elsewhere in the corporation.
He said a new "red flag system" would enable management to highlight programmes of concern in a bid to avoid a repeat of the double Newsnight crisis which befell the corporation.He said a new "red flag system" would enable management to highlight programmes of concern in a bid to avoid a repeat of the double Newsnight crisis which befell the corporation.
Hall's contract, published by the BBC Trust last month, revealed that it contains a two-year gagging clause preventing him from criticising the BBC. Challenged by MPs, Patten said it was a standard contractual element but said he was happy to remove it and have Hall sign a new contract.Hall's contract, published by the BBC Trust last month, revealed that it contains a two-year gagging clause preventing him from criticising the BBC. Challenged by MPs, Patten said it was a standard contractual element but said he was happy to remove it and have Hall sign a new contract.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.