BBC BUDGET CRISIS: Millions of pounds to be paid in compensation after gender pay blunder

The issue of pay inequality at the BBC came to a head earlier this month when journalist Carrie Gracie, the corporation’s China editor, quit her role accusing the BBC of a “secretive and illegal pay culture”.

More than 120 female staff at have lodged formal grievances against the corporation over their pay and have demanded pay rises to bring their salaries in line with male colleagues.

They have also backdated payments to compensate their loss of income from unfair pay in the past.

Financial settlement agreements with all female staff who get paid less than their male counterparts could cost tens of millions of pounds from the corporation’s annual £5.14billion budget, leaving less money to be spent making the country’s favourite TV shows.

Most of the budget for the public service broadcaster comes from the £147 licence fee paid by users of the service.

In written demand to the BBC, those registering formal complaints said: “The BBC should avoid wasting licence fee money on an unwinnable court fight against their female workers over equal pay and immediately agree to independent arbitration to settle individual cases, including back pay and pension adjustments.”

It was revealed last summer than two-thirds of BBC stars earning more than £150,000 were male.

In an open letter by Ms Gracie, the former China editor outlined some of the concerns shared by women at the media outlet.

She said: “The BBC belongs to you, the licence fee payer.

“I believe you have a right to know that it is breaking equality law and resisting pressure for a fair and transparent pay structure.

“I simply want the BBC to abide by the law and value men and women equally.”

The corporation has rejected claims that it has acted illegally in its pay structure.

Earlier this month BBC spokesman said: “Fairness in pay is vital.

“A significant number of organisations have now published their gender pay figures showing that we are performing considerably better than many and are well below the national average.

“Alongside that, we have already conducted an independent judge-led audit of pay for rank and file staff which showed ‘no systemic discrimination against women’.

“A separate report for on-air staff will be published in the not too distant future.”

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee are due to hear from Ms Gracie and the BBC’s Director General Lord Hall later today.

They have said the corporation has a ‘deeper cultural problem’ with gender pay than previously thought.