ITV and BBC 'break extras laws'

The BBC and ITV have reportedly been using amateurs to work as unpaid extras on some productions.

According to The Stage, ITV's production arm has sent requests to amateur dramatic sites appealing for members to appear in forthcoming television shows. The BBC has similarly appealed for extras on classified ad sites like Gumtree.com.

The publication says this contravenes the National Minimum Wage Act, leaving both broadcasters open to employment tribunal claims.

The law states that individuals “under any control or obligation to perform specific tasks and carry out work” must be paid, apart from those employed by a charity or voluntary organisation.

Equity says it is investigating the matter, insisting all performers must be paid in accordance with its existing union agreements.

Both broadcasters told The Stage they were committed to professional actors and walk-ons and responsibility to work within industry agreements.

An ITV spokesman said: “We will always investigate when there is any evidence that this is not the case.”

The BBC said its case was a genuine error made by a new researcher in current affairs and it was arranging payment for the artist involved in the particular production. "The BBC always ensures fair treatment of supporting artists and takes seriously its responsibility to work within the agreed industry guidelines," a spokesman said.