Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment (a) her Department and (b) Ofcom have made of the impact on low income households without broadband of broadcast TV channels, including CBBC and other public service broadcast channels from the BBC, going online only.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the government, and decisions over its spending and services are a matter for the BBC. We recognise the BBC, just like individual households, businesses and other organisations across the UK, is having to make difficult financial decisions.

However, the government is clear that the BBC must continue to deliver its Mission and Public Purposes, which includes providing high quality, distinctive content and services. The BBC must also comply with the requirements in their Operating Licence, as set and regulated independently by Ofcom. This includes ensuring an amount of children's television is shown prominently on television.

We note that Ofcom is currently conducting a public consultation on a new Operating Licence to give the BBC greater flexibility to deliver its Mission and Public Purposes rather than having to meet specific quantitative quotas. We will continue to discuss Ofcom’s proposals with them as the consultation progresses.