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BBC World Service Funding
26 June 2025
Lead MP
Peter Prinsley
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Lab
Responding Minister
Catherine West
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Word Count: 10741
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Peter Prinsley raised concerns about bbc world service funding in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The World Service needs additional funding to expand its digital content and compete effectively with online tech giants, particularly in reaching young people who consume news online.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The BBC World Service costs £366 million annually to reach an audience of approximately 400 million people every week, bringing impartial news to some of the most dangerous and controlled places on Earth. It is vital in countering misinformation and defending free societies against rogue and authoritarian governments.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
The hon. Friend agrees that BBC World Service, especially Farsi and Russian services, is a cost-effective way to try to create democracy and democratic change in countries compared to military action.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
The hon. Member for Romford praised the work of BBC Verify in cutting through misinformation and highlighted its importance amid competing channels.
Brian Mathew
Con
Melksham and Devizes
The hon. Member shares his experiences of listening to the BBC World Service over the years, from winning a T-shirt from David Lee Travis’s radio show in the 1980s to filing reports during aid missions across the globe. The hon. Member for Melksham and Devizes shared his personal experience of relying on the BBC World Service during difficult times abroad.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
The hon. Friend highlights concerns about potential loss or downgrade of the BBC World Service, noting the importance of multi-year funding and sustainable settlement for the service to ensure no cuts. The hon. Member for Harlow praised the BBC World Service and highlighted its importance to students in China.
Ahmed
SNP
Glasgow South West
The hon. Member for Glasgow South West highlighted the long-standing service of BBC Persian, noting the challenges faced by journalists operating under restrictions in Iran.
Zubir Ahmed
Lab
Glasgow South West
Investment in the BBC World Service is essential for defending British values and ideals. It helps fill the gap left by cuts to American foreign spending, such as silencing the Voice of America.
Irene Campbell
Lab
North Ayrshire and Arran
The hon. Friend briefly discusses the importance of the BBC World Service as a trusted brand name overseas and its value in reflecting on its significance. My hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran emphasized the role of the BBC World Service in promoting UK soft power and values through impartial journalism.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Concerned about the perceived impartiality of the BBC due to its funding sources, including UN agencies and government departments. Cited examples where impartiality has failed, such as coverage in the Middle East and a documentary pulled from iPlayer.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Regretted that the World Service is funded by the licence fee, which must now cover 75% of its cost. Highlighted the importance of maintaining public benefit and external audience service while ensuring funding stability. My hon. Friend the Member for Rugby recognised the £32.6 million funding uplift provided by FCDO this financial year.
Maldon
The right hon. Member for Maldon highlighted an example of transnational repression on journalists working for the BBC Persian service.
MP
Party unspecified
unspecified
Asked a question about the £100 million cost of an F-35 jet compared to BBC funding.
Martin Rhodes
Lab
Glasgow North
The MP highlights the rise in disinformation and the need for the BBC World Service to act as a factual counterweight. He mentions documented cases of Russia spreading misinformation internationally, while praising the BBC's impartial journalism.
Newton Abbot
BBC World Service is essential for reaching people across the world, building British soft power, and protecting UK citizens. It faces threats due to budget cuts and loss of autonomy, leading to a dangerous information gap in global media.
Bailey
Lab
Leyton and Wanstead
My hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead supported the role of journalists in providing accurate information and mentioned the importance of BBC Verify.
Calvin Bailey
Lab
Leyton and Wanstead
The work of BBC Persian in narrating events during the Iran crisis is crucial for providing free from propaganda insights into how people really feel. It also highlights the need to support journalists facing harassment and threats.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
While acknowledging the positive influence of the World Service, it is important to maintain high standards of truth and credibility. This includes addressing past issues such as BBC Arabic's portrayal of neutral observers.
Maldon
Agreed with the hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket on the importance of BBC World Service journalists' bravery, mentioning the spread of disinformation by Russia and China.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
The MP endorses the value of BBC broadcasting and emphasizes its role in providing truth to people in occupied or totalitarian states. He discusses Russian media expansion and US funding cuts, raising concerns about these gaps being filled by countries hostile to western values.
Tom Rutland
Lab
East Worthing and Shoreham
The MP thanks the lead Member for securing the debate and declares an interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on the BBC. He supports maintaining funding for the World Service due to its global reach and importance. The hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham emphasised the importance of multi-year funding to support modernisation and innovation in the BBC World Service.
Government Response
Catherine West
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Government Response
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for securing this debate, which has shown a lot of consensus across the Chamber. While we are not at the moment of decision-making, there will be further opportunities in the coming weeks to fine-tune any representations or points that remain unanswered.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.