Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the BBC on funding for BBC Orchestras and Singers.

Operational and editorial decisions are independent of Government and are a matter for the BBC.

I met the BBC on 22 March to discuss a range of issues.

The BBC announced on 24 March that it will suspend the proposal to close the BBC Singers, and will continue to engage with the Musicians' Union and the other BBC Unions about its proposals regarding the BBC's English Orchestras.