Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

BBC World Service

Tuesday 28 October 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government provided a 31 percent increase in funding for the BBC World Service this year.
  • Funding allocations for the next three years will be announced in due course.
  • The Minister will visit Broadcasting House to see its innovative funding programs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Julian Smith Con Skipton and Ripon
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Institute for Global Prosperity and CreativePower have produced a report on the impact of the BBC World Service, which reaches 320 million people globally and is trusted by 75%. In India alone, 75 million people rely on the BBC.

Question

What steps are being taken to provide sustainable funding for the BBC World Service? The Government's support for the World Service as a soft power asset should be maximised, given its global reach and trust. How will this opportunity be leveraged?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Chris Elmore)

A 31% increase in Government funding for the World Service was provided this year. Funding allocations for the next three years will be announced in due course. The charter review starting next year is seen as a way to establish funding streams. We are working with the BBC World Service on innovation to ensure it reaches further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics about sustainable funding guarantees and leveraging opportunities were not fully addressed.

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Q2 Fabian Hamilton Lab Leeds North East
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Senior Russian journalists exiled due to Putin's clampdown on free media are still providing accurate reporting for those who need it most. They often face threats from rogue states.

Question

Will the Minister commit to sustainable funding guarantees for our soft power and continue to support these courageous journalists, who move countries and are threatened?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Chris Elmore)

Support for the work of the BBC World Service is echoed. The Minister will visit Broadcasting House to see its innovative funding programs. Echoing support for journalists exposing global conflicts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to sustainable funding guarantees was not provided.

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