BBC licensing fees are 'very closely watched', culture minister says

Lucy Fraser, Minister for Culture, arrives at the BBC before appearing on Sunday with Laura Kuensberg. Photo: Typhoon Salchi/Avalon

The Minister for Culture suggested that the BBC's license fee could be waived after she announced that she was «looking very closely» at its future.

Lucy Fraser said that the broadcaster will have to rely on «multiple sources of funding» in the future, but praised it as a «phenomenal British organization».

She also rejected the calls of Gary Lineker, the head of the corporation. the highest paid presenter to make sure its next chairman is a non-political figure.

The culture secretary insisted that the result of the government's license fee review would ensure the BBC «gets the resources it needs». .

But she made it clear that the accusation, introduced in 1946, when there was only one television company in the UK, could end up in the history books.

«I would like to ensure that the BBC is properly funded, the license fee is not the only way,» she said Sunday in an interview with Laura Kuensberg, the host of the corporation's political show.

«I think it's very it's important that the BBC gets funding, but I think it may have to look at different sources of funding.

«We'll be watching its funding mechanism very closely, and that's something we take very seriously.» we'll deal with it in due time.»

Part of Britain's soft power

Ms. Frazier said it was important that the broadcaster «get the resources it needs [to be] able to continue to be the fantastic organization that it is.

She added this, especially in light of her coverage of Coronation, ministers attached great importance to his role as part of Britain's soft power.

The license fee was frozen at £159 until April next year, after which it will be raised in line with inflation for four years . years under a deal made with the government.

Nadine Dorris, a former minister of culture, pushed for announcing the current long-term deal last January that it would be «the last.» the threats of imprisonment and bailiffs knocking on doors are over.”

However, she later softened her remarks and said that “the decision on what the future funding model will look like” is still “discussed”. .

Ms Fraser said that as part of the license fee review, she would «listen to a number of people, including the BBC.»

«We shouldn't disqualify people»

At the same time, she brushed off the calls. that the next chairman of the broadcaster be politically neutral following the resignation of Richard Sharpe.

She will recommend the final candidate for the post, Rishi Sunaka, after shortlisting and receiving recommendations from the interview team.

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Mr. Lineker, host of the Match of the Day program, said that the head of the corporation «should not be chosen by the government of the day — not now, not ever.»

Asked about the remarks, Ms. Frazier replied: «I strongly believe that we should not remove from public office people who stand up for themselves and are able to do this job because they have supported a political party in the past.»

Mr. Sharp, a former Conservative donor, resigned last month after he was found to have violated public appointment rules by failing to reveal his involvement in an £800,000 loan to Boris Johnson.