SWITCHING OFF
Labour could scrap criminal prosecutions for failing to pay BBC licence fee
Ministers will meet Beeb bosses to 'explore options' for new funding models
CRIMINAL prosecutions for failing to pay the BBC licence fee could be scrapped by Labour.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is understood to be “concerned” by the disproportionate number of women being punished.
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And there is agreement between Ms Nandy and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood that taxpayers should not have to fork out for the “administrative burden”.
Almost 1,000 Brits are prosecuted every week for ignoring the £169.50 annual fee.
Seventy per cent are women.
They are more likely to be poorly paid, coping with single families or taking charge of household bills — and also more likely to be at home when investigators call.
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But last night an insider said prosecutions will continue until at least 2027, when the BBC’s Royal Charter is due for renewal.
Ministers will then meet Beeb bosses to “explore options” for new funding models.
These are set to include decriminalisation.
Last year half a million people stopped paying as they opted for US-based subscription services instead.
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At the same time former Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer branded criminal prosecutions “morally indefensible in modern times”.
A TV Licensing spokesman said: “We have a duty to enforce the law.
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"But we have made considerable efforts to help people get licensed and offer help and support.
“Our focus on collecting the licence fee fairly and efficiently.”
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