BBC ‘pay perks’ are cut as star News presenters face salary disclosure BBC journalists face the removal of “pay perks” as the corporation prepares to publish the salaries of its star presenters. […]

BBC journalists face the removal of “pay perks” as the corporation prepares to publish the salaries of its star presenters.

Allowances for working unpredictable hours are set to be cut along with overtime payments.

If BBC staff have to work an extra 30 minutes past their shift time they will be asked not to claim overtime, according to the plans, likely to be resisted by the broadcasting unions.

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Employees currently allowed taxis for very early or late shifts will be asked to get public transport.

Claiming for alcohol and lunches outside of the office will also be restricted.

‘Unpredictability allowances’

The BBC currently foots an £187m bill to cover “unpredictability allowances” for people working irregular shifts.

But the proposals have annoyed broadcasting unions since they do not apply to senior managers.

They form part of a wider new deal, which the BBC is currently consulting with broadcasting unions over, that will offer significant improvements to sick pay, shared parental leave, paternity pay, use of fixed terms contracts and its London Weighting.

Separately, James Harding, director of BBC news and current affairs, faces a budget cut of £80 million a year and has pledged to cut spending for “on-air people” by 10% in real terms over five years.

The “perks” proposals were made public as the BBC prepares to disclose the salaries of around 100 star names who earn £150,000 or more, in £50,000 salary bands.

Forced to publish the details by the Government, the figures are set to reveal that some of the BBC’s highest earners work in the News department.

Laura Kuenssberg salary

Laura Kuenssberg, the BBC political editor, and Nick Robinson, presenter of Radio 4’s Today programme, are believed to earn between £300,000 and £350,000 year. Fiona Bruce, 53, the newsreader and Antiques Roadshow, is reported to earn more than £500,000 a year.

A pay cap of £380,000 for star BBC News presenters and journalists has been mooted.

From next year, the salaries of entertainment presenters will not be disclosed since their contracts have been transferred to the BBC Studios division, which does not have to publish salaries because it operates as a commercial business.

Gary Lineker, who presents Match of the Day, is rumoured to be one of two BBC stars who earn more than £1 million.

‘Fairer way of working’

The BBC said the “perks” cutbacks represented a “simpler and fairer way of working which recognise the demands of a modern broadcasting organisation.”

A spokesman said: “The proposals include support for the lowest paid employees and would ensure we have support in place for those who need it, while also ending complexities and outdated allowances so we operate more efficiently.”

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