Wealthy may have to pay more for BBC services in future, says former chair | BBC licence fee

The former chair of the BBC Richard Sharp has suggested that wealthier families may have to pay more to access the corporation’s services.

The “regressive” licence fee system could be replaced by a tax on broadband bills or a household levy based on property value, Richard Sharp told the Daily Telegraph’s Chopper’s Politics podcast.

Plans to replace the £159-a-year licence fee with a different funding model after 2027 are being considered by the Conservative government.

“I would be in favour of a form of a mandatory payment – currently the licence fee. There is one issue which is regressive, which may need to be addressed,” Sharp said.

“You can look at models around the world, there’s a broadband tax, there’s a household tax, and there’s the licence fee. Change is disruptive from moving from one mechanism that works to another.”

Labour announced earlier this year it would carry out a root-and-branch review of the BBC’s operations, including how its chairand board are appointed, amid concerns over its future as a public service broadcaster.

A BBC spokesperson said: “The licence fee is our agreed method of funding until at least 2027 and ensures the BBC is an independent, universal broadcaster, which invests in UK creativity and talent.

“Beyond that, it is right there is a debate on whether, and if, the licence fee needs to evolve. We will continue to work hard to serve all audiences.”

Sharp resigned as BBC chair after he breached the rules on public appointments by failing to declare his connection to a secret £800,000 loan made to Boris Johnson.

An inquiry report found Sharp had a discussion with the former prime minister about applying for the job of BBC chair shortly before taking part in a supposedly independent interview process.

Sharp suggested his eventual successor could be another Tory donor but claimed that whoever took on the role would have a “target” on their back.

“When there was a Labour-supporting chair, there’s a target,” he said. “It’s a sufficiently important institution that whoever is the chair is vulnerable.

“I don’t think the fact that I had donated to the party, and I think the last party donation was in 2010, should have disqualified me.

“But it does mean that in the recruitment process, they need to assure themselves that the chairperson will take as a primary objective the strength of the BBC as an independent organisation and should behave in an impartial manner.”