The BBC plans to launch health screening for employees this month. The benefit will be offered to senior managers once every two years while other staff will be able to take up the perk on a voluntary basis at a discounted rate.

Seth Russell, head of compensation and benefits, said the BBC had been considering the perk for some time as it is often offered by other firms to senior executives. "Most of our senior managers are required to do a lot of travel and, from a health perspective, we think it will be a good idea for them to have regular medicals," he said.