The BBC’s incoming chairman Richard Sharp has described the current licence fee model is the “least worst” way of funding the corporation. In a move which has been seen as a shift of tone, Mr Sharp told MPs that he had an “open mind” about how the corporation should be funded going forward as well as stating that it “may be worth reassessing” the current system.
When asked Mr Sharp also said that he didn’t feel the BBC’s Brexit coverage was biased overall but did recognise “there were some occasions when the Brexit representation was unbalanced”. On Question Time, Sharp did admit that it “seemed to have more Remainers than Brexiteers”.
Mr Sharp spent 23 years working as a banker for Goldman Sachs. He told the House of Commons digital; culture, media and sport select committee yesterday that: “At 43p a day, the BBC represents terrific value”. Reports have emerged that the government is currently reviewing whether its cost should continue rising with inflation from 2022 as well as whether non-payment should remain a criminal offence.
He cited other possible options for funding the BBC in the future. One of which was a household tax like the one used in Germany, “which amounts to the same amount of money”. He reasoned: “So when we next get the chance to review the structure of this then it may be worth reassessing”.
Mr Sharp admitted that he has donated around £400,000 to the Conservative Party over the past 20 years. He also told the committee he would give his £160,000 salary as BBC chairman to charity. When asked what is in this role for him, he said “I think I won the lottery in life to be British and if I can make a contribution, I couldn’t be happier to”.
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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