BBC pays white workers less than ethnic minority colleagues in almost every pay band

Published: 09:54 EDT, 8 October 2026 | Updated: 09:54 EDT, 8 October 2026 The BBC pays white employees less than ethnic minority colleagues on average in most pay bands – but white staff are still paid more overall, figures show.The corporation's pay gap report shows white employees' median pay was higher by 0.6 per cent in just one pay band, while ranging from a 13.2 to 1.3 per cent less than ethnic minorities in others.And senior leaders who are from a Black, Asian or other ethnic minority background are paid 5.3 per cent more on average than their white counterparts.The averages are a median value, meaning they can be skewed in one direction or another – for example by having a higher number of employees paid a higher salary vs a lower number being paid a lower salary within each band.And each pay band contains a range of roles with varying levels of experience and expertise required. The BBC's report states the median average for all employees, showing ethnic minority staff are still paid 0.7 per cent less than their white colleagues, a closing of the pay gap from 2 per cent the year before.The report highlights 'a reduction in the proportion of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff in our lowest career band' for the reduction in pay difference, meaning the average salary of BAME staff has increased.Within the figure, Black employees are paid 8.5 per cent less than white colleagues and those from a mixed background have salaries that are lower by 4.1 per cent. Asian colleagues are paid 2.7 per cent more than white employees. Meanwhile the average pay gap has worsened for LGBTQ+ employees at the BBC, who are salaried a median 8.7 per cent lower than non-LGBTQ+ workers – the largest pay gap reported in any group.Women are paid 7.6 per cent less than men, and employees with a disability have a pay gap of 3.8 per cent. Men have a higher salary in all bands but one and in senior leadership - where women are paid an average of 1.4 per cent more than men.The overall median average pay gap between the sexes remained the same as the previous year. LGBTQ+ members of senior leadership – a phrase which encompasses 241 roles – are paid 8.8 per cent more than their non-LGBTQ+ colleagues – although this group overall has the highest pay gap when all employees are taken into account.Due to the small number of senior roles, the corporation says it can be more subject to fluctuations than overall figures. The BBC has a Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy under which it aims to have a 50:20:14:25 make-up – 50 per cent each of men and women, 20 per cent ethnic minority employees, 14 per cent deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent, and 25 per cent working class.The corporation stresses this is not any kind of formal quota and these targets are not related to salaries in any way. A BBC spokesperson said: 'The BBC is committed to fair and equal pay for all.'We continue to monitor our pay gaps closely and do expect to see small fluctuations year-on-year.'