Tory deputy chairman calls for BBC to ‘bin the licence payment’ – ‘Disgrace and abomination!’ | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Tory deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis has blasted the BBC licence payment as a “disgrace and abomination”.

The MP mentioned it’s time for the general public broadcaster to finish the cost after the company’s boss mooted the potential of means examined licence payment prices sooner or later.

Mr Gullis mentioned: “It’s a disgrace and abomination. It’s very simple. It’s time to bin the licence fee once and for all make the BBC stand its own two feet completely like any other broadcasters.”

Speaking to GB News, he added: “The sooner the licence fee goes, the better for everyone else.”

BBC director-general Tim Davie mentioned this week he’s open to a “more progressive” licence payment and revealed the company will launch its “biggest-ever consultation process” subsequent 12 months so the general public can drive the controversy on its future.

The licence payment has been frozen for 2 years at £159 however in 2023 the Government introduced it will use a decrease price of inflation to extend the family cost from April to £169.50 a 12 months.

The freeze and rising inflation has pushed the broadcaster to reassess its priorities because it seeks to make £500million of financial savings, with Mr Davie saying on Tuesday {that a} additional £200million of financial savings will must be made.

Mr Davie mentioned the broadcaster is planning to “proactively research” the way it will reform the licence payment put up 2028, after the present constitution settlement ends in December 2027.

In a speech, he mentioned: “There is no doubt that the market has changed hugely since the licence fee was introduced and I think it is right to ask fundamental questions about its longevity in a world that is now full of choice.

“We should not create another commercial walled garden or a narrow BBC that provides a niche service for the most hardcore users. The very wonder of the BBC is that quality news sits next to genres such as drama and sport, thus ensuring widespread engagement. This is a precious ecosystem.”

He added that the company is “not defensive about the future” and believes it “will need reform”.