![Sir Keir: 'We've committed in our manifesto to… the BBC and to the licensing scheme'](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/politics/2024/07/12/TELEMMGLPICT000383504777_17208052083560_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwSX5rhseiWKOo9p9OQ-ymek.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Starmer backs BBC licence fee
PM tells reporters he will keep the annual charge of £169.50
![Sir Keir: 'We've committed in our manifesto to… the BBC and to the licensing scheme'](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/politics/2024/07/12/TELEMMGLPICT000383504777_17208052083560_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwSX5rhseiWKOo9p9OQ-ymek.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “committed” to retaining the BBC licence fee.
The Prime Minister told reporters at the Nato summit in Washington that he would keep the annual charge of £169.50.
The corporation’s charter is up for renewal in 2027, and Rishi Sunak had said that the Tories would look at alternative funding models.
Critics of the licence fee believe the BBC should be moved to a subscription model, like Netflix, that would mean people would only be able to access the broadcaster’s channels on TV and radio if they paid.
It is the first time the Prime Minister has commented on future funding arrangements for the corporation.
Asked whether he would be open to other funding models for the corporation, he said: “We’ve committed in our manifesto to… the BBC and to the licensing scheme.
‘Committed to the BBC’
“It comes up I think from memory in 2027, so obviously there’s going to be some more thought between now and then, but we are committed to the BBC and we are committed to the licensing arrangements.”
While in opposition Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, blamed the Tories under Boris Johnson for fostering an “anti-media and anti-BBC feeling” on social media by threatening to scrap the licence fee.
In an article for LabourList, when she was standing to be party leader, Ms Nandy said she wanted to defend the “free media” like the BBC and said she wanted to “protect” the licence fee.
She called for a new structure for the BBC, under which it would be “owned and directed by licence fee holders” to prevent the threat of government interference.
“This anti-media and anti-BBC feeling is all over social media and goes all the way to No 10, with its hints that not only will non-payment of the licence fee be decriminalised but it could be scrapped altogether,” said Ms Nandy.
“But instead of joining in the pile-on, we need to be advocating for and defending free media, and especially the BBC. Because, for all of its imperfections, it is based on a licence fee that provides it with the basis to speak truth to power.”
She added that she would “protect” the licence fee to ensure the BBC was held to ransom over appointments and funding.
‘Maintain the BBC’
“Alongside this I would support measures to make news media more accountable to the people it serves, including exploring mutualisation of parts of the corporation,” said Ms Nandy.
“To maintain the BBC as an institution, it must be accountable to those who fund it – the British people. Instead of tokenistic consultation with the people who pay for it, and backroom negotiations with the government, the BBC should move to a model of being owned and directed by licence fee holders – who can help decide the trade-offs that the BBC must make to secure its future.
“This will mean a new structure for the BBC board that focuses on genuine public representation and participation – and greater commitments to transparency. This will support greater independence from the government, and protection from the Trump-like assault on free and open media that this government wants to pursue.”
Sir Keir also declined to commit to meeting JK Rowling to discuss trans rights within the first 100 days of his premiership.
The Harry Potter author has asked to meet the Prime Minister to impress on him the importance of safe spaces for women and the dangers of puberty blockers.
This week he offended women’s rights campaigners by appointing Anneliese Dodds, who has previously said there are many definitions of a woman, as women’s minister.
Asked why he had appointed a women’s minister who cannot define a woman, he said: “I’ve set out our position on this I don’t know how many times in the campaign and it’s the same now as it was then.”
When questioned on whether he would meet Ms Rowling within 100 days, he said: “On meeting JK Rowling, I said in the campaign and I’ll say it again, I’m very happy to meet whenever that’s possible.”
A BBC spokesman said: “We remain totally focused on offering value to the public and will engage with the Government on funding at the appropriate time.”