BBC expenses, central bookings down by 8 per cent year-on-year

MUMBAI: The UK pubcaster BBC?s expenses and central bookings in the first quarter ended 30 June 2012 are up one per cent from a quarter earlier but down by eight per cent from a year earlier, the broadcaster said in its expenses disclosures.

Taxi costs in particular have come down by 20 per cent this quarter and are down 57 per cent since it began publishing expenses details in 2009.

The pubcaster adds that it is committed to providing more transparency in how it is spending the licence fee and this is its 13th expenses disclosure.

A BBC spokesperson said, "Expenses have risen by one per cent this quarter but are down by eight per cent on the previous year. They remain within a range that is proportionate to running a media organisation of this size. We continue to be mindful of how we spend public money and to drive down costs wherever possible."

The BBC has been publishing the salaries and expenses of the most senior managers since Autumn 2009.