Huw Edwards’ Salary Increase Amid Suspension Raises Eyebrows

Former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards has found himself at the center of attention once again, as it’s revealed that despite being suspended over allegations of misconduct, his salary actually went up by £40,000 last year.

Edwards, who resigned from the BBC back in April 2024 on medical advice, was suspended in July 2023 following claims made by The Sun newspaper, alleging he paid a young person for sexually explicit photographs. However, police later stated that there was no evidence to support that a criminal offense had taken place.

According to the BBC’s latest annual report, Edwards made between £435,000 and £439,999 in the year 2022/2023, but that rose to between £475,000 and £479,999 for the year ending in April 2024. Even while suspended, he remained on the payroll, which is standard policy for the corporation.

This increase in salary for Edwards, who was the highest-paid newsreader at the BBC, has sparked conversation about fairness, especially as many employees at the organization feel the pinch of impending job cuts and a decrease in public license fee contributions.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie addressed the pay situation, stating that the increase was normal for those who take on extended responsibilities. He added, ‘No one wants to waste a pound’ but emphasized the importance of acting fairly.

In the same report, football star Gary Lineker was highlighted as the top earner at the BBC for the seventh consecutive year, with a salary between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999. In contrast, Zoe Ball followed him with earnings of between £950,000 and £954,999, which showed a drop compared to the previous year.

Notable names in the upper salary ranks included Alan Shearer, Greg James, and Fiona Bruce, alongside others such as Lauren Laverne and Naga Munchetty. However, the BBC also clarified that many high-profile presenters who work in various capacities, like the popular Strictly Come Dancing’s hosts, are not accounted for in these figures due to being paid through different channels.

The annual report also took note of the alarming trend of household license fee payments declining by 500,000 or 2% within a year. Furthermore, it highlighted the drop in audience reach across its platforms, notably among the younger demographic, where only 71% of 16 to 34-year-olds engaged with BBC services on a weekly basis.

In addition, the report mentioned that there have been significant job cuts at the BBC over the past five years, with more to come, raising concerns over the organization’s ability to uphold its public service broadcasting mandate amid financial strains.

The report’s release coincided with news of an independent inquiry into Tim Westwood‘s conduct at the BBC, illustrating ongoing scrutiny both internally and externally regarding the BBC’s handling of sensitive allegations.