This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8058637.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Licence fee freeze debated by MPs Licence fee freeze debated by MPs
(about 8 hours later)
The House of Commons is due to debate a Conservative proposal to freeze the television licence fee for one year. The House of Commons is debating a Conservative proposal to freeze the television licence fee for one year.
In April the annual fee for a colour TV licence went up by £3 to £142.50 - a 2% rise, linked to inflation - under the terms of a six-year settlement.In April the annual fee for a colour TV licence went up by £3 to £142.50 - a 2% rise, linked to inflation - under the terms of a six-year settlement.
But the Tories say a freeze is needed next year if the BBC is to maintain public support in tough economic times.But the Tories say a freeze is needed next year if the BBC is to maintain public support in tough economic times.
BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons says the plan is "a recipe for curbing the BBC's editorial independence". Culture secretary Andy Burnham told the Commons: "Now is not the time to be ripping up the licence fee settlement."
'Never over-funded'
He added that the prospect of year-on-year funding for the BBC would "undermine" its work and "take away its creativity and stability".
Mr Burnham also said that while the BBC provided "good value" for licence fee payers, it should be "adequately but never over-funded".
Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "The BBC too needs to maintain its bond of trust with the British people.
"That means understanding that when times are tough, you don't just pocket the money allocated to you in happier times - you listen to people's concerns and you respond to the very changed economic circumstances of 2009."
The licence fee should only be used to enable the BBC to deliver its public services Sir Michael Lyons, BBC Trust chairman Send us your comments
The Conservative proposal for a one-year freeze in the licence fee was announced by party leader David Cameron in March.The Conservative proposal for a one-year freeze in the licence fee was announced by party leader David Cameron in March.
He said the BBC and other public bodies needed to maintain public support in the current economic climate by doing more with less.He said the BBC and other public bodies needed to maintain public support in the current economic climate by doing more with less.
The licence fee should only be used to enable the BBC to deliver its public services Sir Michael Lyons, BBC Trust chairman class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6469&edition=1">Send us your comments BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said in a speech last night that the plan is "a recipe for curbing the BBC's editorial independence".
On Tuesday, the BBC Trust's chairman told the Royal Television Society: "That is a recipe for curbing the editorial independence of the BBC.
"The traditional system of multi-year funding agreements... underpins the BBC's editorial independence.""The traditional system of multi-year funding agreements... underpins the BBC's editorial independence."
Sir Michael said the tradition of setting the licence fee for several years meant the BBC's journalists did not have to trim their reporting to the prevailing political wind.Sir Michael said the tradition of setting the licence fee for several years meant the BBC's journalists did not have to trim their reporting to the prevailing political wind.
But shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said Sir Michael had misinterpreted the policy, and that the issue was whether it was right for the BBC to taken an inflationary rise when there was no inflation.
He told Radio 4's Today programme: "I think the BBC needs to be very, very careful if it takes these inflation-busting awards," warning that the corporation could lose public trust as parliament has done recently.
During his speech, Sir Michael made reference to the usage of a potential surplus in cash allocated for the switchover to digital television in 2012.During his speech, Sir Michael made reference to the usage of a potential surplus in cash allocated for the switchover to digital television in 2012.
'Wrong in principle''Wrong in principle'
Some of the licence fee has been set aside to help vulnerable groups with the change.Some of the licence fee has been set aside to help vulnerable groups with the change.
Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC Trust, discusses whether the BBC licence fee should be frozenSir Michael Lyons, chairman of the BBC Trust, discusses whether the BBC licence fee should be frozen
And it has been suggested that any leftover digital switchover money could be used to fund universal broadband as part of the government's Digital Britain plans.And it has been suggested that any leftover digital switchover money could be used to fund universal broadband as part of the government's Digital Britain plans.
But Sir Michael said research carried out by Ofcom suggested the public would like any surplus money to be paid back.But Sir Michael said research carried out by Ofcom suggested the public would like any surplus money to be paid back.
He said: "The licence fee should only be used to enable the BBC to deliver its public services.He said: "The licence fee should only be used to enable the BBC to deliver its public services.
"The digital switchover help scheme is consistent with that. The rollout and take-up of universal broadband may be consistent with that. We'll see."The digital switchover help scheme is consistent with that. The rollout and take-up of universal broadband may be consistent with that. We'll see.
"But taking licence fee payers' money and giving it to other causes and commercial players clearly isn't."But taking licence fee payers' money and giving it to other causes and commercial players clearly isn't.
"It's wrong in principle, it undermines the BBC's accountability to licence fee payers, and it risks compromising the BBC's independence.""It's wrong in principle, it undermines the BBC's accountability to licence fee payers, and it risks compromising the BBC's independence."
Elsewhere in his speech, Sir Michael indicated that public confidence in the BBC has grown, with 85% of people saying they would miss the broadcaster if it disappeared.
A survey two years ago showed the figure at 70%. The new findings will be published on 1 July, he added.