91�ȱ�

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out changes to how the 91�ȱ� is funded until at least 2027.

“We are committed in our manifesto to the 91�ȱ� and to the licensing scheme,” the prime minister said during his trip to Washington DC this week.

The 91�ȱ� has faced real terms cuts in recent years, including a two-year freeze on the licence fee, leading to cuts to services and programmes.

The Conservative government suggested in 2022 it would abolish the licence fee when its charter was up for renewal and move towards a voluntary funding model.

But signalling his commitment to the existing model, Sir Keir said: “There’s going to be some more thought between now and [2027], but we are committed to the 91�ȱ� and we are committed to the licensing arrangements."

Among programmes impacted by recent cuts was 91�ȱ� Two's Newsnight, which was stripped back as part of efforts to find £500m in savings.

The licence fee was frozen at £159 for two years by Nadine Dorries when she was culture secretary in Boris Johnson’s government.

The Conservative government and the 91�ȱ� agreed a six-year deal which included the two-year freeze, with annual increases set to follow inflation from 2024 until March 2028.

But the Conservatives in December decided against that deal, announcing a below-inflation rise of £10.50 per year to £169.50 coming in from 1 April.

The 91�ȱ�’s director general Tim Davie announced back in March that the corporation would explore how to reform the licence fee.

The licence fee pays for 91�ȱ� services including TV, radio, the 91�ȱ� website, podcasts, iPlayer and apps.

Its existence is guaranteed until at least 31 December 2027 by the 91�ȱ�'s royal charter, which sets out its funding and purpose.

A spokesperson for the 91�ȱ� said: “We remain totally focused on offering value to the public and will engage with the government on funding at the appropriate time.”