THE BBC was blasted for paying an extra £10million to its stars despite axing the free licence for over-75s.

Its “on-air talent” earned £157million last year — up from £147.6million in the previous 12 months.

2 The BBC was blasted for paying an extra £10million to its stars despite axing free TV licences for over-75s Credit: Alamy

Tory Damian Collins, chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, called the rise “unjustifiable”.

Former Tory Culture Secretary John Whittingdale added: “Many people would expect that, at the very least, their talent bill should stay the same.”

Jan Shortt, of the National Pensioners Convention, said: “Millions have less than £15,000 a year and cutting the free TV licence is going to cost 3.7million older people an extra £3 a week. This might be loose change to the BBC, but for older people it can be the difference between eating properly or not.”

Commentator Toby Young said it was now time to scrap the licence fee for everyone.

The £157million BBC bill covers all “on-air roles” — from little-known broadcasters to stars earning hundreds of thousands.

It is up nearly seven per cent on the previous year — about 2½ times the inflation rate. The BBC will also disclose the salary details of every employee paid

£150,000 or more.

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In 2017 — the first year salary details were published — just four of 20 top earners were female.

The BBC staved off a staff revolt over the gender pay gap by forcing some of its highest-paid male stars to take pay cuts.

Newsreader Sophie Raworth was among those who received major increases after the row.

2 Newsreader Sophie Raworth was among those who received major pay increases Credit: Getty Images - Getty

£3M ON FREEBIES THE BBC is set to spend £3million on branded hoodies, mugs, umbrellas and magnets. The items, which cost the same as around 20,000 TV licences, will then be given out to staff and viewers for free to promote programmes and corporate identities, said The Times. Cash will also be splashed on fleeces and bags, according to a document circulated to potential suppliers. The broadcaster said some of the branded items will be sold in its store.



Ricky Tomlinson joins battle to save free TV licences for over-75s