BBC bosses are to splash out up to £63million on taxis — despite saying they have to save £150million on shows such as Strictly and The Traitors.
They are setting up a five-year contract, equivalent to more than 361,000 TV licences, for a 24/7 cab service for employees, presenters and guests, as well as equipment.
The contract, advertised on a government website, has been split into two lucrative lots.
One is for a “ride-hail” app service estimated to be worth £35.5million.
The other, worth £17million, is for pre-booked services across the UK and internationally.
The deals will initially run from July 2027 to June 2030, with the potential of a two-year extension.
Shimeon Lee, policy analyst at The TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “It’s a perfect example of how the BBC treats licence fee-payers’ money as an open tab.
“While households are struggling to cover energy bills and food costs, the BBC is lining up app-based ride-hailing and international chauffeured travel for its own staff. These perks should be scrapped, and so should the licence fee.”
Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty said: “Given there are serious questions over the value that the licence fee represents, this raises yet more questions about its priorities and how its funding is spent. We desperately need the Government to deliver a leaner and more focused national broadcaster.”
Richard Tice, Reform UK deputy leader, told The Sun: “A fat cat limo contract is up for grabs for BBC staff for more than £10million per year. No wonder the licence fee is so expensive — where do we apply?”
The taxi bid emerged months after the Beeb released its annual plan, saying it faced an “unprecedented content funding challenge”.
It is thought to be losing £1billion a year in revenue as more and more households claim they watch only streaming services, so do not need to buy a licence.
Experts say the shortfall could see budgets cut for blockbuster shows such as The Traitors, presented by Claudia Winkleman, Strictly and period dramas like award-winning Wolf Hall.
Some shows could be axed and the number of new programmes slashed to the bone.
Meanwhile, the TV licence is expected to rise from £174.50 to more than £180.
Last year it was revealed the BBC’s taxi bills included £484 for a journey from Salford to Oxford, while a 15-mile trip between Ruislip and central London cost £288.
Insiders say under the new contract costs incurred by commercial arm BBC Studios will be repaid to central BBC funds.
And a BBC source said: “We routinely recover VAT on all vatable purchases.”
The BBC said in a statement: “We have strict guidelines in place around the use of taxis and when their use is and isn’t acceptable.
“The figure quoted is the maximum potential value.”
