A great summary of our current situation.
UK News and Discussions
Re: UK News and Discussions
BBC licence fee to be abolished in 2027 and funding frozen
Sun 16 Jan 2022 11.13 GMT
The BBC licence fee will be abolished in 2027 and the broadcaster’s funding will be frozen for the next two years, the government has said, in an announcement that will force the broadcaster to close services and make further redundancies.
The culture secretary, Nadine Dorries, will announce that the cost of an annual licence, required to watch live television and access iPlayer services, will remain at £159 until 2024 before rising slightly for the following three years.
She also said this would be the end of the current licence fee funding model for the BBC, raising doubts about the long-term future of the public broadcaster under a Conservative government.
[...]
The BBC will have to negotiate with the government over an entirely new funding model when the final licence fee funding deal expires in 2027 – raising the prospect of a subscription service or part-privatisation.
The Mail on Sunday quoted an ally of Dorries as saying: “There will be a lot of anguished noises about how it will hit popular programmes, but they can learn to cut waste like any other business. This will be the last BBC licence fee negotiation ever. Work will start next week on a mid-term review to replace the charter with a new funding formula. It’s over for the BBC as they know it.”
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/ ... ing-frozen
BBC Broadcasting House in central London. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
Sun 16 Jan 2022 11.13 GMT
The BBC licence fee will be abolished in 2027 and the broadcaster’s funding will be frozen for the next two years, the government has said, in an announcement that will force the broadcaster to close services and make further redundancies.
The culture secretary, Nadine Dorries, will announce that the cost of an annual licence, required to watch live television and access iPlayer services, will remain at £159 until 2024 before rising slightly for the following three years.
She also said this would be the end of the current licence fee funding model for the BBC, raising doubts about the long-term future of the public broadcaster under a Conservative government.
[...]
The BBC will have to negotiate with the government over an entirely new funding model when the final licence fee funding deal expires in 2027 – raising the prospect of a subscription service or part-privatisation.
The Mail on Sunday quoted an ally of Dorries as saying: “There will be a lot of anguished noises about how it will hit popular programmes, but they can learn to cut waste like any other business. This will be the last BBC licence fee negotiation ever. Work will start next week on a mid-term review to replace the charter with a new funding formula. It’s over for the BBC as they know it.”
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/ ... ing-frozen
BBC Broadcasting House in central London. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
Re: UK News and Discussions
^^^I always wondered about how the BBC could be so good under a conservative government. Conservatives in the United States have tried in the past to reign in our Public Broadcasting System. They failed because here the funding comes in large part directly from the people and on a voluntary basis. So, short of prohibiting donations, there is not much they can do except cut funding around the margins. I am not so sure how funding for the BBC works.
Don't mourn, organize.
-Joe Hill
-Joe Hill
Re: UK News and Discussions
Another devastating video from Led by Donkeys:
Indeed, it's laughable.
What a joke and embarrassment this country has become:
Indeed, it's laughable.
What a joke and embarrassment this country has become:
Re: UK News and Discussions
Ministers attempting to blackmail colleagues who might oppose PM, alleges Tory MP
Thu 20 Jan 2022 12.34 GMT
A senior Conservative MP has alleged that government ministers, whips and advisers have intimidated and attempted to blackmail some colleagues they suspect may oppose Boris Johnson, saying this could be a police matter.
[...]
The Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, said allegations about potentially criminal offences would be a matter for the police. “While the whipping system is long established, it is of course a contempt to obstruct members in the discharge of their duty or to attempt to intimidate a member in their parliamentary conduct by threats,” he said.
Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said the alleged threats to withdraw investment to force support for Johnson were “disgusting”. She said: “These are grave and shocking accusations of bullying, blackmail, and misuse of public money and must be investigated thoroughly.”
Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the claims showed Downing Street was “now in full scorched earth mode”. He said: “All Boris Johnson cares about is saving his own skin. He’s acting more like a mafia boss than a prime minister.”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... is-johnson
Thu 20 Jan 2022 12.34 GMT
A senior Conservative MP has alleged that government ministers, whips and advisers have intimidated and attempted to blackmail some colleagues they suspect may oppose Boris Johnson, saying this could be a police matter.
[...]
The Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, said allegations about potentially criminal offences would be a matter for the police. “While the whipping system is long established, it is of course a contempt to obstruct members in the discharge of their duty or to attempt to intimidate a member in their parliamentary conduct by threats,” he said.
Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, said the alleged threats to withdraw investment to force support for Johnson were “disgusting”. She said: “These are grave and shocking accusations of bullying, blackmail, and misuse of public money and must be investigated thoroughly.”
Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said the claims showed Downing Street was “now in full scorched earth mode”. He said: “All Boris Johnson cares about is saving his own skin. He’s acting more like a mafia boss than a prime minister.”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... is-johnson
Re: UK News and Discussions
When are private limitations too much?
Anyway just thought it was a (funny) representation of the current status quo in Britain.
Anyway just thought it was a (funny) representation of the current status quo in Britain.
And, as always, bye bye.
Re: UK News and Discussions
That's just insane.
To know is essentially the same as not knowing. The only thing that occurs is the rearrangement of atoms in your brain.