The BBC’s director-general has launched a passionate defence of the licence fee, arguing that it allows the corporation to take risks its commercial rivals cannot and to retain a “precious” commitment to British storytelling and impartiality.
Writing as the corporation enters its centenary year, Tim Davie promises it will “work tirelessly” to offer every household “outstanding value” for the fee, which is now £159 a year.
His pledge comes at a difficult moment for the BBC. Ministers are likely to agree on a new licence fee settlement within weeks, which will set how much the charge will be for the next six years. Budgets have already been squeezed, but more substantial cuts are expected to be needed, especially as the new culture secretary, Nadine Dorries,
