Oral Answers to Questions Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateJohn Whittingdale
Main Page: John Whittingdale (Conservative - Maldon)Department Debates - View all John Whittingdale's debates with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
(6 years, 11 months ago)
Commons Chamber4. What progress her Department has made on establishing a public service broadcasting contestable fund.
As part of the BBC charter review, the first part of which took place under my right hon. Friend’s wise leadership, the Government committed to establish a pilot for a new contestable fund. The Government’s consultation closed earlier this year, and we will publish the response and the next steps in due course.
While I recognise the BBC’s huge contribution to public service broadcasting, does the Minister agree that some TV genres are underserved and that a public service broadcasting contestable fund could increase competition and innovation? Will he confirm that the Government intend to go ahead with a pilot in due course?
Yes, I agree with everything my right hon. Friend said, and I can confirm that that pilot will be going ahead.