BBC Sounds: Access from Abroad

Earl of Effingham Excerpts

Wednesday 14th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

It is only in your Lordships’ House that I am referred to as a youngster, and long may that continue. Reflecting on my noble friend’s comments, I will say that under the original proposals the international audience will still be able to use and access radio for the World Service and the BBC’s journalism for free through bbc.com. Clearly, the BBC is reviewing and refining the plans, but I think we can all agree that we should be proud of how the BBC is such a significant part of our soft power globally.

[The Earl of Effingham (Con)]

My Lords, the journalist and former “World News Today” presenter Kirsty Lang described this decision as

“devastating for all our overseas listeners … I have no idea why they’re cutting it or why they can’t introduce a subscription for people living outside the UK”.

The principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire suggested that BBC Sounds could be made available for a monthly fee, and that

“Millions of others outside UK would pay for the great content”.


I appreciate that the BBC is operationally independent of the Government, but surely the Minister can constructively challenge the BBC as to why a monthly subscription fee would not be a viable option, particularly in view of its current £500 million deficit. Will she please commit to doing so?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

As I mentioned, the BBC is operationally independent. It is important for the BBC and our journalism that it is operationally independent of the Government. However, as I previously mentioned, I welcome the BBC’s commitment to keep BBC Sounds available internationally until access arrangements to other BBC stations for international listeners are confirmed. As I mentioned in a previous response, Radio 4, the World Service and the BBC’s journalism will still be free throughout the world at bbc.com.