[UK] New figures show annual staff overpayments of £1m at the BBC

In the UK, the BBC has been embarrassed by massive payroll errors after it was revealed that some staff have been overpaid by £ 1 million a year, Express reports.

New figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show the broadcaster has paid workers more than £4m in error over the last four years.

For monthly-paid employees, overpayments are being taken from their wages, however, the Beeb has opted not to pursue repayment from others.

Over the past five years, it has reportedly written off 492 cases, costing licence-fee payers £522,000. Some staff members have walked away with up to £10,000 in extra wage payments.

Separate figures reveal that the BBC has reclaimed 86 per cent of overpayments made over that period.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Joanna Marchong - Investigations Campaign Manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance - reportedly said taxpayers will be shocked at the "blundering bean-counters at the Beeb" who have allowed hundreds of thousands of pounds of licence fee payers money into the pockets of undeserving employees.

Ms Marchong said, "With the licence fee increasing in price at the same time that the system becomes ever more outdated, it is absolutely vital that bosses at the broadcaster protect every penny as if it was their last.

"BBC bosses should ensure that they push every case to the maximum and put in place more robust controls to stop it happening in the first place."

A BBC spokesperson said, "The BBC is committed to ensuring accuracy of its payroll process and the payments to its employees.

"We make more than 300,000 payments to permanent and temporary staff every year, and overpayments are extremely rare occurring in just 0.24% of payments.

"Overpayments can occur as a result of payroll changes or when employment ceases. As is common within the industry, there is a high turnover of contract workers processed through the payroll and also people engaged on fixed-term contracts.

"In cases where overpayments do occur, the BBC takes action to recover the funds. Many of the cases where overpayments have not yet been recovered in full are subject to ongoing repayment plans."

Source: Express

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, the BBC has been embarrassed by massive payroll errors after it was revealed that some staff have been overpaid by £ 1 million a year, Express reports.

New figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show the broadcaster has paid workers more than £4m in error over the last four years.

For monthly-paid employees, overpayments are being taken from their wages, however, the Beeb has opted not to pursue repayment from others.

Over the past five years, it has reportedly written off 492 cases, costing licence-fee payers £522,000. Some staff members have walked away with up to £10,000 in extra wage payments.

Separate figures reveal that the BBC has reclaimed 86 per cent of overpayments made over that period.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Joanna Marchong - Investigations Campaign Manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance - reportedly said taxpayers will be shocked at the "blundering bean-counters at the Beeb" who have allowed hundreds of thousands of pounds of licence fee payers money into the pockets of undeserving employees.

Ms Marchong said, "With the licence fee increasing in price at the same time that the system becomes ever more outdated, it is absolutely vital that bosses at the broadcaster protect every penny as if it was their last.

"BBC bosses should ensure that they push every case to the maximum and put in place more robust controls to stop it happening in the first place."

A BBC spokesperson said, "The BBC is committed to ensuring accuracy of its payroll process and the payments to its employees.

"We make more than 300,000 payments to permanent and temporary staff every year, and overpayments are extremely rare occurring in just 0.24% of payments.

"Overpayments can occur as a result of payroll changes or when employment ceases. As is common within the industry, there is a high turnover of contract workers processed through the payroll and also people engaged on fixed-term contracts.

"In cases where overpayments do occur, the BBC takes action to recover the funds. Many of the cases where overpayments have not yet been recovered in full are subject to ongoing repayment plans."

Source: Express

(Quotes via original reporting)