Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the work of the BBC World Service.

BBC World Service provides accurate, impartial and independent news and analysis, and helps to promote Britain and our values around the world. Additional Government investment has helped World Service undergo the biggest expansion in 70 years.

In 2016, the Foreign Secretary agreed to fund new language and additional enhanced services. The World Service's 'World 2020' programme brings high quality and impartial news to an even larger global audience, by reaching some of the most remote places in the world. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office funding commitment to the programme amounts to nearly £291 million between 2016-2020.