NHS England has criticized senior consultants for charging exorbitant overtime rates, following a BBC investigation revealing that some earn over £200,000 annually beyond their regular pay. This finding comes amid rising overtime costs, estimated to reach nearly £1 billion this year. NHS officials stressed the need for responsible spending of taxpayer money, while acknowledging the necessity of additional work to address waiting lists and staffing shortages. The British Medical Association argues that relying on overtime reflects advanced staffing issues in the NHS, suggesting a need for a reevaluation of outdated contracts.