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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement from Annabel Denham, the Director of Communications at the Institute for Economic Affairs that after 75 years the BBC licence is “no longer fit for purpose” and should be replaced by a “subscriber-owned mutual.”

The government has committed to maintain the licence fee funding model for the duration of this 11 year Charter period, until 2027.

We will revisit the licence fee model in advance of the next Charter.

The government is committed to ensuring that the BBC and all public service broadcasters adapt to a fast changing market, and keeping them at the heart of our world class TV sector.

The BBC has already committed to consider how alternative funding models, such as subscription, could supplement licence fee income before the next Charter Review.