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| BBC's future to be set out in government green paper – live updates | BBC's future to be set out in government green paper – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.08pm BST12:08 | |
| Questions in the Commons about NHS reforms have overrun, so we’re still waiting for Whittingdale’s statement. | |
| 12.01pm BST12:01 | |
| Stanley Pignal from the Economist tweets his thoughts ahead of the green paper. | |
| The BBC is a sprawling presence in UK media. Fans point to its (actually quite few) successes as reason for defending it (1/6) | |
| Reuters, FT, and The Economist are superb brands. Publishing: Lonely Planet (ex-BBC), Penguin – list goes on. Less so in broadcasting (3/6) | |
| Rolling back BBC would not lead to a vacuum, it would lead to more creative, diverse ecosystem. (5/6)) | |
| Ask yourself why Britain has made no global mark in podcasting. Utter dominance of BBC radio must be a factor, even if you enjoy R4. (6/6) | |
| The political agenda every morning and evening is set by BBC (Today/Newsnight). That means state employees deciding what matters. (finished) | |
| Updated at 12.02pm BST | |
| 11.54am BST11:54 | 11.54am BST11:54 |
| You can share your views on the future of the BBC via GuardianWitness. Just click on the blue ‘contribute’ button. | You can share your views on the future of the BBC via GuardianWitness. Just click on the blue ‘contribute’ button. |
| 11.52am BST11:52 | 11.52am BST11:52 |
| Here’s a flavour of the pressure Whittingdale faces from the right. | Here’s a flavour of the pressure Whittingdale faces from the right. |
| Ukip’s only MP Douglas Carswell suggests he fears the green paper won’t go far enough. | Ukip’s only MP Douglas Carswell suggests he fears the green paper won’t go far enough. |
| I suspect John Whittingdale will pull his punch and neither abolish nor decriminalise non payment of BBC licence fee http://t.co/jpBGJvIDx5 | I suspect John Whittingdale will pull his punch and neither abolish nor decriminalise non payment of BBC licence fee http://t.co/jpBGJvIDx5 |
| Times columnist Tim Montgomerie hails “trimming the BBC” as part of the new government’s “pacey start”. | Times columnist Tim Montgomerie hails “trimming the BBC” as part of the new government’s “pacey start”. |
| Union reform. Living wage. Trimming BBC. EU vote. Weekend GPs. Welfare cuts. 2% on defence. A pacey start to this majority Tory government. | Union reform. Living wage. Trimming BBC. EU vote. Weekend GPs. Welfare cuts. 2% on defence. A pacey start to this majority Tory government. |
| Rob Wilson, minister for civil society, criticises the BBC-backing letter by celebrities. | Rob Wilson, minister for civil society, criticises the BBC-backing letter by celebrities. |
| It appears the #BBC concocted a letter for its well paid stars to sign. I guess it's a case of 'he who pays the piper calls the tune.' | It appears the #BBC concocted a letter for its well paid stars to sign. I guess it's a case of 'he who pays the piper calls the tune.' |
| 11.43am BST11:43 | 11.43am BST11:43 |
| Times columnist Deborah Ross says “the BBC is bloated ... its stars are overpaid [and it] gives off the feeling that being to the left is both natural and right.” | Times columnist Deborah Ross says “the BBC is bloated ... its stars are overpaid [and it] gives off the feeling that being to the left is both natural and right.” |
| But she has a long list of why she has no wish to live in country without the BBC. | But she has a long list of why she has no wish to live in country without the BBC. |
| Here’s a sample: | Here’s a sample: |
| ■ Wolf Hall, because it was genius. | ■ Wolf Hall, because it was genius. |
| ■ The World Service, which is listened to by 190 million people. | ■ The World Service, which is listened to by 190 million people. |
| ■ The Daily Mail hates it, which has to be worth £170 a year in anyone’s book. | ■ The Daily Mail hates it, which has to be worth £170 a year in anyone’s book. |
| ■ It leaves all documentaries on two sisters joined at their thumbs, and also at the nose, and who weigh 68st, and have to be lifted from their bed by a crane, to Channel 5. | ■ It leaves all documentaries on two sisters joined at their thumbs, and also at the nose, and who weigh 68st, and have to be lifted from their bed by a crane, to Channel 5. |
| ■ Not being part of the free market means it can persevere, as was the case with Blackadder, when the first series was a flop. | ■ Not being part of the free market means it can persevere, as was the case with Blackadder, when the first series was a flop. |
| ■ And last, when I used to tell people from other countries that you could go to university free here, I would feel proud, and now that’s gone, I’m thinking, the NHS and the BBC. We’d best hang on to them for dear life. | ■ And last, when I used to tell people from other countries that you could go to university free here, I would feel proud, and now that’s gone, I’m thinking, the NHS and the BBC. We’d best hang on to them for dear life. |
| 11.27am BST11:27 | 11.27am BST11:27 |
| Summary | Summary |
| Welcome to live coverage of the government’s plans for the future of the BBC. | Welcome to live coverage of the government’s plans for the future of the BBC. |
| At midday culture secretary John Whittingdale is due to launch a green paper on the future of the BBC with an oral statement to the House of Commons. | At midday culture secretary John Whittingdale is due to launch a green paper on the future of the BBC with an oral statement to the House of Commons. |
| It is expected to consider changing the way the BBC is funded in the long term, while committing to the licence fee for at least five years. | It is expected to consider changing the way the BBC is funded in the long term, while committing to the licence fee for at least five years. |
| Government pre-briefing on the plans say they will include a “root and branch” review that will question whether the BBC has been chasing mass ratings at the expense of its original public service brief. | Government pre-briefing on the plans say they will include a “root and branch” review that will question whether the BBC has been chasing mass ratings at the expense of its original public service brief. |
| The review will be guided by a panel of mainly commercial experts – many of whom are critical of the BBC . It is expected to challenge everything from the licence fee to the corporation’s mandate to provide universal programming. | The review will be guided by a panel of mainly commercial experts – many of whom are critical of the BBC . It is expected to challenge everything from the licence fee to the corporation’s mandate to provide universal programming. |
| The paper is also likely to call for an end to the BBC Trust – the corporation 10-year-old government’s arrangement. Earlier this year the culture committee, then under the chairmanship of Whittingdale, said the trust should be replaced. | The paper is also likely to call for an end to the BBC Trust – the corporation 10-year-old government’s arrangement. Earlier this year the culture committee, then under the chairmanship of Whittingdale, said the trust should be replaced. |
| The review comes after the BBC agreed to shoulder the cost of providing free television licences for people aged over 75 in a surprise deal that will cost it £750m by 2020. | The review comes after the BBC agreed to shoulder the cost of providing free television licences for people aged over 75 in a surprise deal that will cost it £750m by 2020. |
| On Wednesday several prominent figures including JK Rowling, Lenny Henry and Gary Lineker, wrote an open letter to the prime minister warning against major cuts to the BBC. | On Wednesday several prominent figures including JK Rowling, Lenny Henry and Gary Lineker, wrote an open letter to the prime minister warning against major cuts to the BBC. |
| And BBC’s director general, Tony Hall, signalled his willingness for fight by delivering a passionate defence of the corporation at the launch of its annual report. “The BBC does not belong to its staff or the government, but it belongs to the people … and what they want is a continually better BBC,” he said. | And BBC’s director general, Tony Hall, signalled his willingness for fight by delivering a passionate defence of the corporation at the launch of its annual report. “The BBC does not belong to its staff or the government, but it belongs to the people … and what they want is a continually better BBC,” he said. |
| The Guardian’s Charlotte Higgins, who has written a new book on the BBC, reckons the the green paper will set up “a dramatic confrontation over the corporation’s very purpose”. | The Guardian’s Charlotte Higgins, who has written a new book on the BBC, reckons the the green paper will set up “a dramatic confrontation over the corporation’s very purpose”. |
| In a long read article headlined the “The Battle for the BBC” she sets out what’s at stake: | In a long read article headlined the “The Battle for the BBC” she sets out what’s at stake: |
| The question for the country now, and its politicians, is whether the BBC’s founding vision still has any currency; whether the BBC can still be something different from a media business and something more than a “content provider”. Can it still be part of the essence of Britishness, existing as a public space through which we may all pass as equals, selling us nothing, simply there for our information, education and entertainment? Can it remain our “guide, philosopher and friend”, as [BBC Founder Lord] Reith had it? In the end, these are questions that cut to the heart of what British society consists of, and what kind of nation we want to be. It is an argument that the BBC can win or lose; and it is in the newly empowered Conservatives’ gift to decide its fate. All that could possibly stand in the government’s way is the will of the people. Britain will have the BBC it deserves. | The question for the country now, and its politicians, is whether the BBC’s founding vision still has any currency; whether the BBC can still be something different from a media business and something more than a “content provider”. Can it still be part of the essence of Britishness, existing as a public space through which we may all pass as equals, selling us nothing, simply there for our information, education and entertainment? Can it remain our “guide, philosopher and friend”, as [BBC Founder Lord] Reith had it? In the end, these are questions that cut to the heart of what British society consists of, and what kind of nation we want to be. It is an argument that the BBC can win or lose; and it is in the newly empowered Conservatives’ gift to decide its fate. All that could possibly stand in the government’s way is the will of the people. Britain will have the BBC it deserves. |
| On Wednesday several prominent figures including JK Rowling, Lenny Henry, and Gary Lineker, wrote an open letter to the prime minister warning against major cuts to the BBC. | On Wednesday several prominent figures including JK Rowling, Lenny Henry, and Gary Lineker, wrote an open letter to the prime minister warning against major cuts to the BBC. |
| I may be biased but the BBC is something we should be proud of and is well worth protecting. #backtheBBC http://t.co/EPI9Mdf0Cm | I may be biased but the BBC is something we should be proud of and is well worth protecting. #backtheBBC http://t.co/EPI9Mdf0Cm |
| But Luke Johnson, former chairman of Channel 4, gives a flavour of what the corporation’s critics are demanding. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said the BBC should not waste licence fee money on programmes such as The Voice which could be provided by commercial rivals. | But Luke Johnson, former chairman of Channel 4, gives a flavour of what the corporation’s critics are demanding. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said the BBC should not waste licence fee money on programmes such as The Voice which could be provided by commercial rivals. |
| He added: “Unfortunately long-established places like the BBC tend to resist change and tend to see their imperative as growth at all costs. But often more means worse.” | He added: “Unfortunately long-established places like the BBC tend to resist change and tend to see their imperative as growth at all costs. But often more means worse.” |
| 11.25am BST11:25 | 11.25am BST11:25 |
| Both the Sun and the Daily Mail have hostile pieces on what they dub the “luvvie letter” from celebrities defending the BBC. | Both the Sun and the Daily Mail have hostile pieces on what they dub the “luvvie letter” from celebrities defending the BBC. |
| The Mail says some signatories, including Michael Palin, were asked to sign the letter by senior figures in the BBC. | The Mail says some signatories, including Michael Palin, were asked to sign the letter by senior figures in the BBC. |
| The Sun dismisses the move as “luvvie aid” from celebs with a vested interest. | The Sun dismisses the move as “luvvie aid” from celebs with a vested interest. |
| Sun blasts 'luvvie aid' for BBC pic.twitter.com/DiWKehPPTR | Sun blasts 'luvvie aid' for BBC pic.twitter.com/DiWKehPPTR |
| 11.13am BST11:13 | 11.13am BST11:13 |
| While we wait for Whittingdale’s statement (at midday), here’s a reminder that the BBC has a long history of wheeling out the stars to defend the licence fee. | While we wait for Whittingdale’s statement (at midday), here’s a reminder that the BBC has a long history of wheeling out the stars to defend the licence fee. |
| Yesterday’s BBC-backing letter to the Telegraph by a series of celebrities had echoes of a publicity film put out in the late 1980s to justifying the then £58 annual fee. “What have BBC ever given us?” asks John Cleese. Various answers are provided by the likes of Bob Geldof, David Attenborough, Sue Lawley plus the late Patrick Moore, Michael Hordern, Brian Johnson, Alan Whicker and Ronny Barker. | Yesterday’s BBC-backing letter to the Telegraph by a series of celebrities had echoes of a publicity film put out in the late 1980s to justifying the then £58 annual fee. “What have BBC ever given us?” asks John Cleese. Various answers are provided by the likes of Bob Geldof, David Attenborough, Sue Lawley plus the late Patrick Moore, Michael Hordern, Brian Johnson, Alan Whicker and Ronny Barker. |
| Updated at 12.05pm BST | |
| 11.10am BST11:10 | 11.10am BST11:10 |
| Ahead of the announcement there’s much speculation in the today’s press about the government’s plans for the BBC. | Ahead of the announcement there’s much speculation in the today’s press about the government’s plans for the BBC. |
| The Telegraph says families could “a Finnish-style means-tested broadcasting levy to pay for the BBC”. | |
| Its says Whittingdale will consider “plans for a new means tested levy to be paid by better-off taxpayers based on their annual income – regardless of whether or not they own a television.” | Its says Whittingdale will consider “plans for a new means tested levy to be paid by better-off taxpayers based on their annual income – regardless of whether or not they own a television.” |
| It also previews David Perry QC report on whether to decriminalise the non-payment of the licence fee. It says Perry will urge ministers to continue prosecuting licence fee evaders despite expressing concerns that it is disproportionately affecting women and leaving hundreds of thousands of people facing court action. | |
| Government sources briefing the FT have played down fears of an “inflammatory green paper” on the future of the BBC is in fact “extremely generic” and “doesn’t take a position”, people familiar with its contents have said. | Government sources briefing the FT have played down fears of an “inflammatory green paper” on the future of the BBC is in fact “extremely generic” and “doesn’t take a position”, people familiar with its contents have said. |
| One person close to the process said the green paper “asks genuine questions about what the BBC should be doing and how it should be financed. It is straight up and down.” | One person close to the process said the green paper “asks genuine questions about what the BBC should be doing and how it should be financed. It is straight up and down.” |
| That suggests at least a temporary detente while detailed discussions take place. | That suggests at least a temporary detente while detailed discussions take place. |
| The BBC will receive a further fillip on Thursday, when a government-commissioned review recommends that non-payment of the licence fee should not be decriminalised. The BBC has pushed hard against decriminalisation, arguing it could reduce its licence fee revenue by £200m a year. | The BBC will receive a further fillip on Thursday, when a government-commissioned review recommends that non-payment of the licence fee should not be decriminalised. The BBC has pushed hard against decriminalisation, arguing it could reduce its licence fee revenue by £200m a year. |
| Updated at 12.07pm BST |