Loose Women’s Kaye Adams Fights HMRC Tax Demand, Claiming Different Treatment from BBC Journalists

Loose Women Host Subject to Different Contract Rules

Loose Women host Kaye Adams has been embroiled in a tax dispute with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who claim she owes £124,000 in income tax and National Insurance contributions. A tax tribunal has heard that Adams was not subject to the same strict contract rules as BBC journalists, as she argues that she was self-employed while hosting The Kaye Adams Programme on BBC Radio Scotland from 2013 to 2019.

BBC Business Director Explains Contract Differences

During the tax tribunal, BBC business director Alison Denvir stated that the BBC had specific contracts for news presenters and journalists, known as "On Air Talent Statutory contracts" or "OATS" contracts. These contracts were designed to provide more work benefits to news presenters and journalists and moved them from being treated as freelancers. Denvir explained that these contracts were necessary because the BBC's editorial guidelines placed heavy restrictions on the activities of news journalists, requiring more control over their external activities. However, she acknowledged that Adams, as a host on Loose Women, was not subject to these guidelines and therefore was not caught by the same contract rules.

Loose Women Role Boosts Profile of Programme

Denvir also highlighted that Adams' role on Loose Women involved "external activities" that helped bring a profile to the programme. While BBC news contracts limited outside work, Adams' involvement on ITV's Loose Women was seen as beneficial for the show. Denvir stated, "I accepted Kaye wasn't caught by the guidelines."

Case Continues

The tax dispute between Kaye Adams and HMRC continues, with the tribunal considering the arguments presented by both parties.