Conservatives Press For Reform Of BBC Licence Fee
The Conservatives are set to pile pressure on the government to consider alternatives to the BBC license fee during the third reading of the Communications Bill today.
Commenting, the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittingdale MP said: “The Licence fee is a regressive tax which bears most heavily on those on the lowest incomes. There is growing evidence that public support for a compulsory licence fee is declining and that people no longer regard it as providing value for money.”
He continues: “Many who already choose to pay for additional channels that they want to watch, resent having to pay on top of that for BBC channels that they do not watch. In addition, others who do not have access to digital TV regard it as unfair that they have to finance BBC channels that they cannot receive.”
The cash-rich BBC is the envy of its commercial rivals, who have accused the channel of negating its public service remit to go after ratings.
Earlier this month Granada chairman, Charles Allen, delivered a scathing attack on the Corporation, arguing that it should lose 10% of its licence fee to fund public service programming on commercial channels (see Granada Chairman Calls For Slice Of BBC Licence Fee).
The debate over the license fee is set to heat up further, after Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, warned the Corporation that it would face a comprehensive review to win the renewal of its charter, which runs out in 2006 (see Government Promises Review Before BBC Charter Renewal).
Conservative MP’s today called on the government to commission the new super regulator, Ofcom, to carry out independent research into the efficacy, cost effectiveness and public acceptability of television licensing in the UK.
In other BBC news, the Corporation today announced the creation of the new position of Independent Executive, in an attempt to improve its relations with the independent production sector. Elaine Nedell, who was formerly managing director of Chrysalis Entertainment, will take up the post in April.
Bendell has a tough job ahead of her, as the BBC has missed its government quotas for independent programming, which were set below the levels advised by the Peacock Committee, for the last two years.
BBC: 020 8743 8000www.bbc.co.uk
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