Nadine Dorries has hinted the TV licence could be axed as she said the government will find new ways of funding the BBC.
The Culture Secretary said the company’s funding model was “completely outdated” and decisions on any changes would be made “well ahead” of the BBC Charter renewal in 2027. The government, she said, is also looking at ways media watchdog Ofcom can “hold the BBC to account”
It comes as the licence fee faces an uncertain future, Wales Online reports. BBC director general has said he would rather produce less content than compromise on quality when considering funding cuts to the broadcaster.
Speaking to The Spectator, Ms Dorries said: “We are going to very soon announce that we are going to be looking very seriously about how we fund the BBC. We are ready to implement a new way of funding the BBC.
“We’re going to be looking at how Ofcom hold the BBC to account and then very shortly after that we will be announcing other measures that we are going to put into place to start looking at how the BBC will be funded in the future so that we are well in time to have that in place for the Charter renewal.”
The Government on Thursday published a white paper aimed at implementing broadcasting reforms to “create a new golden age of British TV and help the nation’s public service broadcasters thrive.”
The document did not provide further details on the BBC’s funding reforms. Earlier this year, Downing Street said it was "vital" that the BBC sought to keep down costs ahead of an expected freeze in the licence fee.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "It's obviously vital the BBC is doing everything possible to avoid new costs for UK households at a time when many are facing financial pressures and deliver the best value for money for licence-fee payers."
They added: "We have said that we will keep the licence fee until the end of the current charter period in 2027 but ahead of that point we will review how the BBC is funded."
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