Prime Minister Boris Johnson has indicated that the future of the BBC licence fee should be reconsidered, questioning whether funding a broadcaster through a 'general tax' remains justifiable. Speaking at a rally in Sunderland, Johnson said the issue was worth 'looking at' in the long term, though he declined to make policy commitments just days before the general election.
The licence fee, currently set at £154.50 per year for a colour TV licence, is due to rise with inflation until 2022. It generated £3.6bn for the BBC in 2018-19, accounting for about 75% of the broadcaster's revenue. The government has agreed to maintain the fee until at least 2027, when the BBC's Royal Charter expires.
Johnson's comments come amid ongoing tensions between the government and the BBC, including a dispute over funding free TV licences for the over-75s. The prime minister has also faced criticism for refusing to be interviewed by BBC presenter Andrew Neil, a clip of which has gone viral on social media.
Various alternatives to the licence fee have been proposed, including subscription services or a compulsory broadcasting levy. The Brexit Party has pledged to 'phase out' the fee, while Labour and the Liberal Democrats have promised to protect the BBC's independence. The BBC argues that the licence fee is vital to its public service model, ensuring universal access regardless of ability to pay.
