Licence Fee Evasion Falling, Says DCMS
The rate of TV licence fee evasion has dropped, despite the DCMS’ use of a new statistical model thought to provide a more accurate picture.
Statistics from the new DCMS-owned model suggest that evasion has dropped from 8.8% in March 2001 to 7.9% in March 2002. Whereas the old system focused on the numbers of households, now businesses and other official premises are included. The growth of TV penetration has seen the number of licences increase, from 19.4 million in force in 1991 to 23.7 million by March 2002.
Zarin Patel, head of revenue management BBC, commented: “Of course, calculating evasion can only ever be an estimate, as the figures on which the evasion rate is based are only ever estimates in themselves.”
There were 300,000 more licences in force by March 2002 than in the previous financial year, and the number of evaders caught reached record levels with, up 12% or 50,000.
“The rise in the figures is due to the increase in the size of the “universe” of television ownership the model now reflects” continued Patel, “More than one million licensable premises have been added.”
The prospect of the new Communications Bill has thrown up questions about how the BBC is both funded and regulated. Under the new legislation, the Board of Governors looks set to remain as the main regulator of the BBC, with only some responsibility going to the new regulator, Ofcom (see Jowell Insists BBC Will Pay For Privileges). With the BBC finding increasing success with commercial ventures, the calls continue for an end to the licence fee system of funding (see Government’s BBC Stance “Closed Minded” Says Yeo), but with no acceptable alternative yet mooted, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has dismissed the idea for the near future (see Jowell Says Licence Fee Will Stay).
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.culture.gov.uk
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