Post by Teddy Bear on Jul 17, 2010 19:32:28 GMT
This is what the government are saying at the moment, but with a couple of years before it will be implemented one has to wonder what might transpire before then. What influence will the BBC exert on the government, or how will they try to show they are not expendable and need to maintain funds at least at current level to develop the 'quality 
programming their public depends on'. As one of their public I can positively state- axe the lot of them and send them out in the real world.
Licence fee for 'wasteful' BBC will be cut
Television viewers can soon expect to pay less for their BBC licence fee as part of the austerity drive in public spending, Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, will signal on Saturday.
By Andrew Porter, Political Editor
Published: 9:43PM BST 16 Jul 2010
The broadcaster has been responsible for “extraordinary and outrageous” waste in recent years and needs to recognise the “very constrained financial situation” the country is now in, Mr Hunt says.
In an interview in today’s Daily Telegraph, Mr Hunt says the broadcaster needs to change “huge numbers” of things that it does, warning the management that they should not interpret his silence on the issue of the licence fee since the election as a sign that he is happy with it.
In his most explicit statement yet on the future of the £145.50 a year levy, the Culture Secretary says that he can “absolutely” see viewers paying less following next year’s negotiations between the government and the BBC.
Responding to a question over whether the fee could fall at the next settlement, he says: “Yes I could. Absolutely. I think that’s the discussion that we need to have.
“The BBC should not interpret the fact that we haven’t said anything about the way licence fee payers funds are used as an indication that we are happy about it. We will be having very tough discussions.”
Mr Hunt has been careful to not pre-judge the outcome of licence fee discussions but his comments are the clearest indication yet that the Coalition wants it reduced.
The process of reviewing the licence fee will begin next year and Mr Hunt says that is when he will use his “electoral mandate to say to the BBC now going forward for next five years.” A new lower licence fee could then be in place for 2012.
The Culture Secretary, who says that imminent government cuts will be “horrible” adds: “There a moment when elected politicians have an opportunity to influence the BBC and it happens every five years. It is when the licence fee is renewed.”
At a time when Whitehall departments are facing cuts of up to 40 per cent, Mr Hunt says: “The BBC will have to make tough decisions like everyone else.
“There are huge numbers of things that need to be changed at the BBC. They need to demonstrate the very constrained financial situation we are now in.”
“All the concerns I had in opposition about executive salaries and use of licence fee funds for things many people thought were extraordinary or outrageous - that (next year) will be moment when I express them.”
In recent weeks the BBC has embarked on what appears to be a pre-emptive series of policy announcements designed to head off a clash with Government over the licence fee and how it is used.
It has said it will close its generous pension scheme to new members and promised to cut salary bills at the top of the corporation by 25 per cent over the next 18 months.
Sir Michael Lyons, the chairman of the BBC Trust, has also indicated he wants the salaries of top “stars” published.
Sir Michael has suggested earnings should be published in bands, such as £750,000 - £1m, £1m - £5m and above £5m. He acknowledged that it is an area where the BBC needs to recapture the confidence of the public,
Earlier this month the corporation’s annual report showed an increase in the BBC’s overall staff numbers and pay bill. The latest figures show that at least 85 senior managers earn more than David Cameron’s £142,500 salary.
This week the executive salaries were described as “preposterous” by Paul Gambaccini, the veteran broadcaster. He accused the corporation of allowing the values of the commercial sector to infect the BBC and help drive up pay.
In the interview Mr Hunt reveals that he will soon, despite management objections, be sending in the National Audit Office, to examine the BBC’s books.
He says: “One of the biggest issues with the BBC is there seem to be a steady flow of stories where the way that licence fee payers funds are used is not appropriate. Their policy on executive remuneration is the biggest.
“It is absolutely essential that the NAO has access.”
Earlier this year BSkyB called for the BBC Trust “to reduce the burden on the licence fee payer”.
An annual colour TV licence now costs £145.50. It rose from £142.50 in April.
programming their public depends on'. As one of their public I can positively state- axe the lot of them and send them out in the real world.Licence fee for 'wasteful' BBC will be cut
Television viewers can soon expect to pay less for their BBC licence fee as part of the austerity drive in public spending, Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, will signal on Saturday.
By Andrew Porter, Political Editor
Published: 9:43PM BST 16 Jul 2010
The broadcaster has been responsible for “extraordinary and outrageous” waste in recent years and needs to recognise the “very constrained financial situation” the country is now in, Mr Hunt says.
In an interview in today’s Daily Telegraph, Mr Hunt says the broadcaster needs to change “huge numbers” of things that it does, warning the management that they should not interpret his silence on the issue of the licence fee since the election as a sign that he is happy with it.
In his most explicit statement yet on the future of the £145.50 a year levy, the Culture Secretary says that he can “absolutely” see viewers paying less following next year’s negotiations between the government and the BBC.
Responding to a question over whether the fee could fall at the next settlement, he says: “Yes I could. Absolutely. I think that’s the discussion that we need to have.
“The BBC should not interpret the fact that we haven’t said anything about the way licence fee payers funds are used as an indication that we are happy about it. We will be having very tough discussions.”
Mr Hunt has been careful to not pre-judge the outcome of licence fee discussions but his comments are the clearest indication yet that the Coalition wants it reduced.
The process of reviewing the licence fee will begin next year and Mr Hunt says that is when he will use his “electoral mandate to say to the BBC now going forward for next five years.” A new lower licence fee could then be in place for 2012.
The Culture Secretary, who says that imminent government cuts will be “horrible” adds: “There a moment when elected politicians have an opportunity to influence the BBC and it happens every five years. It is when the licence fee is renewed.”
At a time when Whitehall departments are facing cuts of up to 40 per cent, Mr Hunt says: “The BBC will have to make tough decisions like everyone else.
“There are huge numbers of things that need to be changed at the BBC. They need to demonstrate the very constrained financial situation we are now in.”
“All the concerns I had in opposition about executive salaries and use of licence fee funds for things many people thought were extraordinary or outrageous - that (next year) will be moment when I express them.”
In recent weeks the BBC has embarked on what appears to be a pre-emptive series of policy announcements designed to head off a clash with Government over the licence fee and how it is used.
It has said it will close its generous pension scheme to new members and promised to cut salary bills at the top of the corporation by 25 per cent over the next 18 months.
Sir Michael Lyons, the chairman of the BBC Trust, has also indicated he wants the salaries of top “stars” published.
Sir Michael has suggested earnings should be published in bands, such as £750,000 - £1m, £1m - £5m and above £5m. He acknowledged that it is an area where the BBC needs to recapture the confidence of the public,
Earlier this month the corporation’s annual report showed an increase in the BBC’s overall staff numbers and pay bill. The latest figures show that at least 85 senior managers earn more than David Cameron’s £142,500 salary.
This week the executive salaries were described as “preposterous” by Paul Gambaccini, the veteran broadcaster. He accused the corporation of allowing the values of the commercial sector to infect the BBC and help drive up pay.
In the interview Mr Hunt reveals that he will soon, despite management objections, be sending in the National Audit Office, to examine the BBC’s books.
He says: “One of the biggest issues with the BBC is there seem to be a steady flow of stories where the way that licence fee payers funds are used is not appropriate. Their policy on executive remuneration is the biggest.
“It is absolutely essential that the NAO has access.”
Earlier this year BSkyB called for the BBC Trust “to reduce the burden on the licence fee payer”.
An annual colour TV licence now costs £145.50. It rose from £142.50 in April.