Petition Rule out BBC licence fee being linked to council tax
There have been reports of the licence fee being linked to council tax, following a media interview from the BBC Chairman that covered future funding. For the reasons stated below, this petition asks that the Government should rule this out.
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1. We think this would create complexities that requiring major legislative and bureaucratic overhaul and higher administrative costs.
2. We believe it could erode consumer choice, forcing payment regardless of usage.
3. We think it would disproportionately burden those on low or fixed incomes, especially those already struggling to pay C.T, and risk penalising everyone while ignoring media consumption or ability to pay.
1,609 signatures
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Related activity
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BBC Charter renewal: debate and consultation
The Government has launched a public consultation on the BBC Charter renewal. A debate on the matter was also recently held in Parliament.
Debate
On 6 January, MPs took part in a debate on the BBC Charter Renewal.
This was a Westminster Hall debate led by Sir John Whittingdale MP.
Culture Minister, Stephanie Peacock MP, responded on behalf of the Government.
Explainer:
Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to debate a topic of their choice, and receive a response from the Government.
They are a way to:
- raise awareness of an issue
- seek to influence government policy
- put the views of backbench MPs, political parties, and the Government on record.
They do not involve a vote on a particular action or decision.
See our visual explainer on how these debates work.
Government consultation
The Government is consulting the public on the terms for the BBC Charter’s renewal, and any changes needed to help the BBC continue to serve the public.
The Charter Review is the process by which the government sets the BBC’s Mission, Public Purposes, governance arrangements, and funding model for the next Charter period, due to begin in January 2028.
Respond to the consultation by 11:59pm on 10 March 2026.
It includes questions on:
- the BBC’s Mission and Public Purposes;
- how the BBC operates as an institution, including its governance arrangements and workplace culture;
- how the BBC delivers services such as news and technology for the public good;
- how the BBC drives economic growth across the UK, including through its commissioning and partnerships, and how the market impact of its decisions is regulated;
- how the BBC is funded.
After the consultation has closed, the Government will publish a summary of the responses.
More information
The consultation is being run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
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