Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any change to the consumption of TV and radio content; and whether they intend to abolish the TV licence fee.

The BBC is a world-class broadcaster and a cultural institution producing some of the best television and radio in the world. As the Secretary of State said in the House on 12 June 2019: ’the BBC is a fundamental part of the social and economic fabric of this country. It is important for people of all ages, but particularly older people who value television as a way to stay connected with the world’. The Licence Fee is part of a funding settlement agreed with the BBC as part of the Royal Charter. The Government has committed to maintain the licence fee funding model for the BBC for the duration of the new 11 year Charter period, which began in 2017.