Variable TV licence fee rejected as readers join calls for abolition

David Dimbleby says that TV licence system is ‘very unfair’ The future of the BBC’s funding model is set to be reviewed in the autumn with ministers evaluating alternatives to the ‘unsustainable’ TV licence fee. Alternatives include making the public broadcaster a subscription service, introducing advertising or a broadband levy. Former BBC Chairman Richard Sharp has suggested that wealthier households should pay a higher TV licence fee to help fund the institution, with a variable tax added to broadband bills or council tax. But a new Express.co.uk poll has shown 80 percent of readers oppose this model. He described the current £159 annual TV licence as ‘regressive’ on the Daily Telegraph’s Chopper’s Politics podcast earlier this month. He explained: ‘I would be in favour of a form of a mandatory payment – currently the licence fee. There is one issue which is it’s regressive, which may need to be addressed. ‘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.’ Former BBC Chairman Richard Sharp has suggested that wealthier households should pay a higher fee In a poll that ran from 9am on Sunday, July 16, to 12.15pm on Tuesday, July 18, Express.co.uk asked readers: ‘Should wealthier pay more for the BBC?’ Overall, 1,248 votes were received with the majority of readers, 80 percent (995 people), answering ‘no’ better-off households should not pay more. Whereas 19 percent (236 people) said ‘yes’ and a further one percent (17 people) said they did not know. Dozens of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers shared their thoughts on the licence fee. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info 80 percent of readers oppose a variable tv licence model The overwhelming opinion shared by readers was against wealthier households having to pay more for the licence fee, with username Babyboomer commenting: ‘Watching something has nothing to do with wealth.’ Username Drrdf remarked: ‘Do the wealthy have to pay a higher price for normal things than the normal price – no?’ Another, username skipper said: ‘Absolutely not. Hard-working people already pay for many benefits, as do pensioners. Many people don’t find anything of interest on the BBC anyway. Time to scrap the licence entirely and make it earn its money.’ Earlier this year Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said that a Labour Government would consider reforming the licence fee to be means-tested, telling The i: ‘The licence fee might not be the model you’d start with that everybody pays the same whether you’re rich or poor. But I think the core principle of everybody contributing and it being a universal service that everybody contributes is absolutely right.’ Trending Other readers agreed that the current funding model of the BBC was not fit for purpose. Username tlcw explained: ‘The BBC is an outdated concept. The licence fee needs to be scrapped altogether under the financial pressure the population is experiencing in modern-day Britain.’ Similarly, username graypj said: ‘Nobody should be made to pay for the BBC, make them self-financing like the other stations or a subscription service.’ Username thegermanwholovescapitails pointed out: ‘There should not, be a TV licence regardless of being rich or poor!’ And username zzyzyxxl added: ‘Nobody should pay for the BBC. The TV licence tax should be scrapped.’ The licence fee is due to increase to £172 next April