John O’Connell via e-mail John.Oconnell@taxpayersalliance.com 30 March 2011 Dear Mr O’Connell, Freedom of Information Request - RFI20110304 Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) received on 9 March 2011, seeking the following information:

1. The number of staff (headcount) on the payroll in the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 to

date.

2. From the total figure given as an answer to question 1, the number of staff (headcount) on the payroll with free or subsidised private health insurance as part of their conditions of employment for the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 to date.

3. The total cost of private health insurance provision to staff in the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10 and

2010-11 to date. If possible, please also break this down by healthcare provider, if not please proceed to provide the total figures.

In response to part one of your request, we hold information as at the last day of each month, therefore we are providing headcount figures based as at the last day of each financial year, i.e. 31 March 2009 and 2010 and 28 February 2011 for the current financial year. Please find below the total number of staff employed on permanent or fixed-term contracts on these dates:

Date Headcount 31-Mar-09 20,632 31-Mar-10 20,781 28-Feb-11 21,012

In response to parts 2 and 3 of your request, please find below the number of staff in receipt of ‘free’ private health insurance (i.e. paid for by the BBC) for each of the last 3 years, together with the cost of this

provision. Please note, BUPA have provided this service for the last 3 years and their scheme year runs from January to December, therefore the figures below refer to calendar year, not financial year.

Calendar Year

Number of Staff

Total Cost (£)

2008 544 697,520.25 2009 530 705,468.75 2010 532 761,437.78

The BBC does not offer subsidised private health cover to its employees. As our subsidiaries (BBC Studios & Post Production Ltd, UKTV, BBC World News Ltd, BBC Worldwide Ltd, World Service Trust and BBC Children in Need) are not subject to the Act – under section 6(1) (b)(ii) – the information for their personnel is not included in the figures quoted above. I hope this response satisfies your request. Appeal Rights If you are not satisfied with this response, you have the right to an internal review by a BBC senior manager. Please contact us at the following address: BBC Freedom of Information, Room 2252, White City, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS, explaining what you would like us to review and including your reference number. If you are not satisfied with the internal review, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner, whose contact details are: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF Telephone: 01625 545 700 Website: http://www.ico.gov.uk/ Yours sincerely Rachel Currie BBC People