BBC Trust review of talent costs: BBC statement

The BBC today issued a statement following the publication of the BBC Trust’s review of talent costs.



The statement reads:



"We note the overall findings of the Trust’s review into talent costs. We are encouraged that the review finds no evidence that the BBC overall is paying more than the market price for its leading talent.



"Indeed sometimes, as the report finds, we pay under market value because we can use individual talent across a wide range of output, offering them more work and better creative opportunities.



"The report also acknowledges that the BBC’s activities in the talent market do not push up prices for the rest of the industry.



"The BBC is in the market place for talent. Our audiences expect to see or hear the best talent from the BBC.



"However, as we have said before, value for money is a priority when we negotiate deals, and this has been recognised in today’s report.



"As has been seen in the last year, the BBC is not afraid to walk away from negotiations when we believe the deal does not represent value for money or the price is too high.



"The report’s recommendations on talent costs in areas such as radio and news and the points the report raises about entertainment need further discussion and consideration because this is a complex area.



"The report is clear that more could be done to develop new talent and we will strive to build on the work we have already done in this area, as well as looking to strengthen the talent evaluation and negotiation process wherever we can.



"We greatly value the rigorous and thorough work that has been done by the Trust and Oliver & Ohlbaum in this area. It provides useful ideas that we can develop to improve our work in this area, driving increasing value for money for the licence fee payer.



"We will continue to engage with the BBC Trust to assure licence fee payers that we are spending the licence fee wisely"