Baroness Stowell’s response to BBC licence fee settlement
Thursday 7 Decemebr 2023
Baroness Stowell, Chairman of the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, has responded to the Government’s announcement on the BBC licence fee settlement issued today.
The Committee published a report Licence to change: BBC future funding in July 2022 which called on the BBC to publish a comprehensive long-term vision setting out its role, how it will deliver value and distinctiveness in a changing media landscape, and how that relates to future funding options.
Responding to new BBC licence fee settlement Baroness Stowell, said:
“I welcome the progress set out in the announcement on the licence fee settlement and the review of BBC funding, which my Committee called for in our report on the future of the licence fee. These should catalyse action to examine the options available to the broadcaster to address its growing strategic challenges. I look forward to engaging with the new BBC Chairman after he completes the appointment process and is confirmed in post.
“I am nevertheless disappointed that the BBC itself has not done more to inform this work. Our report was clear that decisions about funding mechanisms have to be led by a clear articulation of what the country wants from its national broadcaster, and how it will change for that to be delivered. The BBC needs to be more open and front-footed in setting that out, or else face change being imposed upon it.”
