Watching brief

The BBC has just not come to terms with the conditions in which we are now forced to live. Almost all Britons have been touched by the age of austerity, yet at Television Centre the good times are still rolling for the top managers, such as Mark Byford, the deputy director-general of the BBC, who could receive a pension of 400,000 when he retires.

That will stick in the craw of many of his staff, including presenters, who find work increasingly hard to come by as they reach the age of retirement.

Allegations of ageism and sexism have long dogged the Corporation and, as such, the fresh complaint by 68 year-old Peter Sissons of bias

towards youth deserves to be debated. After all, it was only three years ago that Moira Stuart, a familiar voice for decades, was dropped from television amid more accusations of ageism.

Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, will have to look at all these issues and more. The BBC must remain independent but in return it must fulfil a few basic requirements: slim its bloated management structure and pay scale; end the eye-wateringly large salaries paid to presenters, particularly in light entertainment; make good quality programmes and show a basic respect for its older members of staff.

Most of this could be achieved through saving money, rather than spending it. That, as Mr Sissons might well say, would make for good news.