Tory advisors to recommend BBC licence fee axe

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 02-Nov-09, 08:50

LONDON - The BBC's funding should be changed from the licence fee regime to come out of general taxation or a government grant, a review of Tory party media policy is reportedly expected to recommend.

According to The Guardian, the proposal is designed to allow the money the BBC spends on collecting the £142.50 annual charge to be saved and put into a fund to pay for public service broadcasting on commercial channels.

The proposal has come from a panel of 12 senior media industry figures, chaired by former BBC director-general Greg Dyke and including Shine TV chief executive Elisabeth Murdoch.

The panel's report is expected to be published next month.