On Monday 17 January the Government announced that they are freezing the TV licence fee for the next two years. Suella welcomed these measures that will help to support families by keeping the cost of living down. In Monday’s announcement the Government confirmed that the fee will remain at £159 until 2024 before rising in line with inflation for four years.
In response to the BBC wanting to raise the annual fee to £180, Nadine Dorries MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, argued that “at a time when families are facing a sharp increase in their living costs we simply could not justify asking hard-working households to pay even more for their TV licence.” In agreement with this, Suella is pleased that sensible action has been taken that will benefit working-families and pensioners who are currently feeling the pressures of global inflation the hardest.
In 2019 Suella wrote to the BBC expressing her deep concerns over the BBC’s decision to end the free TV licence for over-75s. In her letter to the BBC Suella said, “We all know that elderly people are more susceptible to illness, loneliness, restricted mobility and disease, which means the ability to watch TV and remain entertained and informed in their homes is a huge lifeline.” In knowing how important the license is, Suella took comfort in the fact that the action being taken by the Government will be of significant benefit to many Fareham residents.
Suella is very supportive of the BBC and believes it is a fundamental institution in our society and around the world. The BBC has played an important role in providing us with first-class information and entertainment over the last 100 years, the measures announced on Monday will still see the BBC receiving significant funding. By introducing the freeze, the BBC will still be able to continue producing their widely appreciated content, whilst at the same time helping people to meet their costs of living.
The BBC license freeze is one of the first steps in the Government’s road map for reform of the BBC. In light of the huge changes in the broadcasting landscape over the past decade, Suella agrees that the Government should rightfully be taking action to keep the BBC up to date with its audience.
Commenting Suella Said:
“The BBC wanted the fee to rise to over £180 by the end of the settlement. Instead, it will remain fixed at £159 until 1 April 2024. That’s more money in the pockets of pensioners; in the pockets of families who are struggling to make ends meet.”
