The BBC has been blasted for “wasting money on non-jobs” following the creation of a wellbeing team led by a psychotherapist who helped with the parliamentary inquiry into reality TV.
An internal announcement reportedly stated that Dr Hayley Dare is the BBC’s Head of Wellbeing, while Lucy Tallon – who used to work for The Film & TV Charity – is the Wellbeing Partner.
It is understood that other junior, internal hires have also joined the team.
Dare and Tallon are set to support workers across both the public service side of the BBC and commercial side BBC Studios with their mental health and wellbeing.
The group aims for productions to be more “mentally healthy”, according to Deadline.
A team concerned with staff welfare already exists however, the new branch will focus on mental health.
A BBC spokeswoman told GB News: “We’re dedicated to creating an environment where employees can thrive and do their best work.
“These roles will support our ongoing commitment to their mental health and wellbeing, as part of well-established plans in this area.”
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The new roles have been criticised by the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
The campaign group said the broadcaster should be focusing on “delivering value for money”.
Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, told GB News: “Licence fee payers assume that the bumper pay packets and job perks BBC staff already receive would be enough to keep them happy.
“Auntie should focus on delivering value for money instead of wasting money on more non-jobs.”
A team concerned with staff welfare already exists at the BBC however, the new branch will focus on mental health
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Dare was a specialist adviser to the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee’s inquiry into reality TV for two years from the summer of 2019.
While, Tallon was most recently Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing at The Film & TV Charity for four years up to June 2024.
It is believed that the creation of the team has been in the pipeline for some time, and is not in relation to recent events.
