As British face inflation, government freezes BBC subscription fee

Robert Besser
19 Jan 2022, 21:15 GMT+10

BBC faces a major financial setback following a recent announcement by the government to freeze the present mandatory subscription fee for the next 24-months
UK's Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, Nadine Dorries, confirmed enacting the subscription freeze in the House of Commons and House of Lords
In the wake of the ongoing inflationary spikes, coupled with increased programming expenses, the 159.90 pound television usage levy will be frozen for 24 months

LONDON, England: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) faces a major financial setback following a recent announcement by the government to freeze the present mandatory subscription fee for the next 24-months, which could cause serious difficulties to the state broadcaster.

UK's Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, Nadine Dorries, confirmed enacting the subscription freeze in the House of Commons and House of Lords, noting that her ministry will begin an evaluation of the BBC financing scheme, which could impact the BBC's future.

In the wake of the ongoing inflationary spikes, coupled with increased programming expenses, the 159.90 pound television usage levy will be frozen for 24 months, while future fee hikes might be set lower than the inflation levels.

The broadcaster's Chairman, Richard Sharp, and current director-general Tim Davie, expressed their dissatisfaction following the announcement, deeming it a let-down for the news giant, while affirming that the BBC might need to impose budgetary reductions reaching several hundred million pounds.

Meanwhile, Dorries said fairness was achieved in the settlement for the broadcaster, which takes in some 3.5 billion pounds annually through the TV usage levy.

Dorries added that the freeze was put in place to protect citizens facing steep living expenses and the current inflationary cost of living spiral, including steep increases in energy prices.

"The BBC wanted the fee to rise to £180 per year," Dorries noted.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Birmingham News.

More Information

12 ℃

Fair in Birmingham

International

Section

Court OKs $1 billion settlement after 2021 collapse of Florida condos

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida: - A nearly $1 billion settlement has been agreed upon in a lawsuit brought by families of ...

Buffalo, New York, mourns shooting victims, 18-year old gunman faces court

The suspect is an 18-year-old white man heavily armed with tactical gear and a helmet, said Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph ...

Costa Rica declares emergency as hackers attack government

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica: President Rodrigo Chaves, who was sworn in as president on May 8, has declared a state ...

Thousands of birds saved in India during heatwave

NEW DELHI, India: As a scorching heatwave dries up water sources in the state's biggest city, veterinary doctors and animal ...

Military shelling schools, hospitals, places of worship in Myanmar

WISCONSIN, USA - According to figures compiled by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, more military attacks against ...

Turkey voices reservations about Sweden and Finland being members of NATO

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Veto-wielding NATO member Turkey is voicing opposition to Sweden and Finland joining the alliance, with Turkish President ...

United Kingdom

Section