BBC bosses have launched a stinging counter-attack against government attempts to limit the corporation’s remit and funding, though figures show that its wage bill increased to almost £1 billion last year as staff numbers and presenter salaries rose.
The battle between the BBC and the Conservative government is due to intensify tomorrow with the publication of a green paper that is expected to propose changes to the licence fee, restrictions to the website and a call for the BBC to make fewer entertainment and reality shows.
Lord Hall of Birkenhead, the BBC’s director-general, and Rona Fairhead, the chairwoman of the BBC Trust, both issued robust calls for the government to keep their hands off the corporation yesterday.
However, their calls came as the BBC’s annual