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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with the BBC on reports of its plans to reduce the budget for Songs of Praise.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the Government and the Government cannot intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations. It would therefore be inappropriate for the government to intervene in BBC spending decisions, including any BBC proposals to alter its budget for Songs of Praise.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the BBC, is responsible for ensuring that the BBC continues to meet the public service obligations set out in the BBC Charter, Agreement, and Operating Licence. The BBC is required to deliver its remit, reflecting, representing and serving the diverse communities of all the United Kingdom’s nations, regions and communities. This requirement includes the obligation on the BBC to provide religious programming.