Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what representations she has made to the BBC on the importance of maintaining distinctive, intellectually serious and socially valuable programming, including where audiences are relatively small, in the context its ongoing savings programme.

Delivering significant savings requires the BBC to make difficult decisions, and these are rightly made independently of the Government. As one of our most important national institutions, we expect the BBC to ensure that its licence fee income is used appropriately and that it continues to provide audiences with good value for money.

We are currently in the process of reviewing the BBC’s Charter, which will allow us to write the next chapter of the broadcaster's story and ensure it is sustainably funded and set up for success long into the future.