← Back to House of Commons Debates
BBC Licence Fee
06 February 2020
Lead MP
Tracy Brabin
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationForeign AffairsCulture, Media & Sport
Other Contributors: 28
At a Glance
Tracy Brabin raised concerns about bbc licence fee in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
At the risk of getting a cold shoulder, I should like to ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to make a statement on the Government’s plans for the future of the BBC licence fee. The future of the BBC as a public service broadcaster is a crucial matter to all of us. Yesterday, the Government announced plans to look into the decriminalisation of non-payment of the licence fee, but this was not mentioned in the Conservative party manifesto and the cost of transitioning to a new civil system could cost the BBC at least £25 million in set-up costs and lost revenue.
Nigel Adams
Con
Sherwood
The broadcasting sector is globally recognised, reaching more than 400 million people around the world every week. The Government are launching an eight-week public consultation to examine decriminalisation of TV licence evasion and to share thoughts on how it may change over time.
Tracy Brabin
Lab
Batley and Spen
The BBC is central to the lives of our constituents: 91% of Britons use the BBC every week, and 26 million households have a TV licence. The Government's independent review in 2015 concluded that the current system was the fairest and most effective way of funding the BBC.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
The consultation should compare not the disadvantages of the present system with the advantages of the alternative, but the disadvantages of the alternative with the advantages of the present system. The question is whether any change to the BBC leads to its disappearance or vulnerability.
Drew Hendry
SNP
Inverness N and Highland E
Scotland has already implemented a system whereby no one faces a custodial sentence for failing to pay their TV licence, but there is a clear pattern when it comes to this Government and their attitude towards the media. The BBC is not Netflix, and many will be concerned that the Tories intend to dismantle scrutiny of public service broadcasting.
Christchurch
The hysterical reaction of defenders of the BBC speaks for itself regarding the consultation to remove an anachronistic privilege.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull N and Cottingham
As a Yorkshire MP, I remember the importance of the regional BBC—both local television and radio—in serving communities during public service announcements like during flooding events in 2007.
Damian Green
Con
Ashford
The argument that magistrates courts are being clogged by TV licence evasion cases is false; the chair of the Magistrates Association noted this would make a minimal difference.
Ben Bradshaw
Lab
Stretford and Urmston
For the second time today, may I recommend that a Minister reads the most recent Select Committee report on this issue? Chaired by the right hon. Member for Maldon, the committee found no grounds for doing this.
Jason McCartney
Con
Colne Valley
The BBC’s public service broadcasting is at its best in local radio coverage of sports like rugby league, cricket and football; those sports are not getting any local coverage on commercial radio. Whatever the future funding model, that type of broadcasting must be protected.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
The media landscape has been driven by the BBC for decades, including iPlayer and Freeview. The Minister's call for a consultation on the TV licence fee is seen as an attack on the commitment to the current funding model and the BBC's role today.
The broadcasting landscape is changing rapidly, with more children recognising Netflix and YouTube over the BBC. The consultation seeks to determine whether criminal sanctions for non-payment are fair and proportionate in the current media environment.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
The discussion about fairness and proportionality is crucial, especially regarding how non-payment of the TV licence fee should be treated similarly to other services within a free market for television.
Critiques that demand for BBC to take on social policy and consultation over decriminalisation suggests an attack on public sector broadcasting and asset stripping of the BBC.
Questions the rationale behind younger generations having to pay a tax for a service they do not use, highlighting that people have to pay to access other TV channels unrelated to the BBC through Freeview.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Argues against decriminalisation, stating that the licence fee is a fundamental part of British broadcasting that ensures quality content for everyone. Worries about unravelling the whole system if changes are made.
Proposes a subscription model instead of the current licence fee to prove BBC's value and support its global reach, questioning why it fears such a change and supports decriminalisation.
Questions the financial management of the BBC, highlighting discrepancies in employee salaries while claiming inability to afford full funding for over-75 TV licences.
James Cartlidge
Con
South Suffolk
Suggests a subscription model could significantly increase the paying base for the BBC from UK-wide to global, providing substantial revenue and aligning with its growing international audience.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
Emphasises the importance of BBC's international coverage, especially through the World Service, highlighting the need for support in an era where public service broadcasting faces pressures due to changing media landscapes.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Calls for reconsideration of the current funding model given contemporary viewing habits and technological advancements, supporting a subscription-based approach as more equitable than the existing poll tax-like system.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Views the consultation as an attack on public service broadcasting principles by the Government, urging for independence in managing the licence fee to prevent future political interference.
Supports decriminalisation of non-payment of TV licence fees, noting that the Magistrates Association has been calling for this change for over 25 years and more than 120,000 people were prosecuted last year.
Asks for assurances regarding future funding for S4C and Welsh-language broadcasting services provided by the BBC in light of changes to the TV licence fee model.
Nigel Adams
Con
Sheffield Central
Acknowledged the importance of discussing funding for S4C as part of the next settlement starting in 2022 and announced a new flexible payment instalment scheme to help those on low incomes from April 1, 2020.
Rother Valley
Asked about measures the Government are taking to make it easier for people to pay the television licence fee to avoid enforcement action.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Questioned whether there should be a state subsidised channel in the digital age and suggested that the BBC should stand on its own feet based on merit.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Asked if the Government would assure constituents that pressure will be kept up on the BBC to reduce costs following recent staff reductions in the news department despite claims of comprehensive service provision.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Inquired about the assessment made by the Government regarding increases in licence fee avoidance and associated costs with prosecutions, noting personal interest due to background at BBC.
Government Response
I absolutely assure the hon. Lady that this has nothing to do with what she mentions. I remind her that this is a consultation on whether criminal sanctions are proportionate and fair, and we believe it is right to look again at whether that is the correct model for licence fee evasion. The broadcasting landscape is changing rapidly, with younger generations less likely to use traditional BBC services. The consultation seeks to determine whether criminal sanctions for non-payment are fair and proportionate in today’s digital age. Announced a new flexible payment instalment scheme for those on low incomes from April 1, 2020 and emphasised the need for a broader conversation about the future funding model of the BBC beyond 2027.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.