BBC or BBC?: A DCMS Response
In my previous article, ‘BBC or BBC PLC?: Government Policy Needs to be Clarified‘, I presented a number of important issues for debate. Of special concern is the answer to the question: would the BBC become a Public Limited Company (PLC) if it were no longer funded through the existing television licence fee model?
In June 2021, I wrote to Oliver Dowden CBE MP, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to comment on my BBC article. I am publishing the DCMS response for public information purposes and as a matter of record. The DCMS response, dated 7th July 2021, is published below.
I would especially like to draw attention to the following extract from the letter:
The government is committed to ensuring that the BBC and all public service broadcasters adapt to a fast-changing market, and keeping them at the heart of our world class TV sector. You will know that the government has committed to maintain the licence fee funding model for the duration of this 11-year Charter period, until 2027. However, we have been clear that, ahead of the next Charter Review process, we will undertake a detailed look at the future of the TV licence model itself.
Given the urgency of the issues facing the BBC, there was no indication of it in the DCMS response.
Notwithstanding the above, there have been political changes. Following a cabinet reshuffle on the 15th September 2021, Nadine Dorries MP was appointed the new Culture Secretary replacing Mr Dowden.
Ms Dorries has publicly stated that the ‘BBC licence fee would be frozen for the next two years and the BBC’s future put under review’. On 16th January 2022, the Culture Secretary tweeted that the ‘licence fee announcement will be the last’. Furthermore, it was widely reported on 26th January 2022 that in the previous two weeks she had drawn the ire of certain members of the Cabinet with her announcements. Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in particular, was caught off-guard by Ms Dorries, claiming that no proper cabinet decision has been made about the axing of the television licence fee.
The current BBC Royal Charter began on 1st January 2017 and ends on 31st December 2027. From the BBC website, ‘The Government will carry out a mid-term review of the Charter, focussing on governance and regulatory arrangements. This review is not a full Charter Review and so will not look at the BBC’s mission, purpose or the method by which it is funded.’
On 11th February 2022, it was reported that Ms Dorries had announced that a House of Lords select committee inquiry, ‘BBC future funding’ by the Communications and Digital Committee, had been opened (3rd February 2022).
However, there is still a pressing need for the Culture Secretary to announce a date for the mid-term review of the BBC’s Charter, which would focus upon governance and regulatory matters.
© 2022 Dr Robert Frew. All rights reserved