Analysis: Latest Tory attack on broadcaster means deep cuts as well as hunt for alternative funding model
Nadine Dorries’ announcement of major changes to the BBC’s funding model is just the latest attack on the broadcaster by Conservative ministers over the past 12 years. There have been repeated attempts to decriminalise non-payment of the licence fee, enormous real-terms funding cuts and the decision to make the BBC take the blame for abolishing free licences for over-75s.
In the short term, the more damaging news for the BBC is the government’s intention to freeze the cost of the licence fee for two years. This dooms the broadcaster to another round of deep cuts to its output that will weaken its offering to the UK and the world.
