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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Freeze licence fee, says Cameron | Freeze licence fee, says Cameron |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Conservative leader David Cameron has called for the BBC licence fee to be frozen for one year. | Conservative leader David Cameron has called for the BBC licence fee to be frozen for one year. |
| He said it was up to the corporation and other public bodies to "set an example" by keeping costs in check during the economic downturn. | He said it was up to the corporation and other public bodies to "set an example" by keeping costs in check during the economic downturn. |
| Mr Cameron said the BBC was an "important national institution" which had to "prosper" and to remain a "fantastic cultural asset" to the UK. | Mr Cameron said the BBC was an "important national institution" which had to "prosper" and to remain a "fantastic cultural asset" to the UK. |
| Colour TV licences, currently £139.50 a year, are to rise by £3 from 1 April. | Colour TV licences, currently £139.50 a year, are to rise by £3 from 1 April. |
| Black and white licences will increase by £1 to £48 a year. | Black and white licences will increase by £1 to £48 a year. |
| Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Cameron said the freeze should happen immediately. | Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Cameron said the freeze should happen immediately. |
| 'Makes sense' | 'Makes sense' |
| He added: "The government made its decision in 2007, in quite different circumstances, to set out in the increase in the licence fee for years ahead. I think the situation has changed since then... | He added: "The government made its decision in 2007, in quite different circumstances, to set out in the increase in the licence fee for years ahead. I think the situation has changed since then... |
| "[It was made] on the basis that the BBC needed to keep up with the rising [advertising] revenues for other broadcasters... | "[It was made] on the basis that the BBC needed to keep up with the rising [advertising] revenues for other broadcasters... |
| It is a signal to the public sector that nothing should be taken for granted and that he, Mr Cameron, is willing to say no Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick's blog in full | |
| "I think it makes sense now to review the situation and that we need to freeze the licence fee this year." | "I think it makes sense now to review the situation and that we need to freeze the licence fee this year." |
| He also said: "We are not cutting it, just freezing it." | He also said: "We are not cutting it, just freezing it." |
| He added that he was a " supporter of the licence fee", but argued that, with declines in revenues for channels funded by advertising and subscriptions, it was important to avoid creating a system which was "not in balance". | He added that he was a " supporter of the licence fee", but argued that, with declines in revenues for channels funded by advertising and subscriptions, it was important to avoid creating a system which was "not in balance". |
| He said: "The BBC is an important national institution. I want to see it prosper and succeed and be a fantastic cultural asset." | He said: "The BBC is an important national institution. I want to see it prosper and succeed and be a fantastic cultural asset." |
| Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said: "It's a sad reflection of the Tory party that the best it has to offer taxpayers in the economic downturn is £3 off their licence fee. | Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said: "It's a sad reflection of the Tory party that the best it has to offer taxpayers in the economic downturn is £3 off their licence fee. |
| "With many viewers staying at home a lot more during the recession, it really doesn't seem the right time to be cutting the quality of our television programmes." | "With many viewers staying at home a lot more during the recession, it really doesn't seem the right time to be cutting the quality of our television programmes." |