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Following news that the government plans to scrap the BBC\u2019s licence fee in 2027, public figures have come out in support of the broadcaster.<\/p>\n
It was reported over the weekend that Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries intends to freeze the licence fee at \u00a3159 until April 2024, with plans to enact a new Royal Charter in 2027 that would give the government power to scrap the fee altogether and look at other, non-compulsory ways of paying for the service, including a streaming model.<\/p>\n
In a tweet<\/a>, Dorries wrote: \u201cThis <\/span>licence<\/span> fee announcement will be the last. The days of the elderly being threatened with prison sentences and bailiffs knocking on doors, are over. Time now to discuss and debate new ways of funding, supporting and selling great British content.\u201d<\/span><\/p> Ever since the announcement, famous faces have criticised the move, arguing that it would result in a considerable cut to the broadcaster\u2019s income and affect its ability to produce shows including the likes of Line of Duty<\/a>, Peaky Blinders<\/a> and Doctor Who<\/a>, as well as incurring further job losses.<\/p>\n The Kumars star Sanjeev Bhaskar said: \u201cWhen u consider all the landmark radio & TV shows from Goons to Python, Not the 9 o\u2019 clock News to the Day to Day, Hancock, Dad\u2019s Army, Fast Show, League of Gentlemen, Goodness Gracious Me etc and the shows they spawned, u begin to see how vital the BBC is. And that\u2019s just comedy.\u201d<\/p>\n When u consider all the landmark radio & TV shows from Goons to Python, Not the 9 o’ clock News to the Day to Day, Hancock, Dad’s Army, Fast Show, League of Gentlemen, Goodness Gracious Me etc and the shows they spawned, u begin to see how vital the BBC is. And that’s just comedy<\/p>\u2014 Sanjeev Bhaskar???? (@TVSanjeev) January 16, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>