, by Graeme Wilson, the House of Lords BBC Charter Review committee has criticised Tessa Jowell for refusing to give Parliament more say over the BBC’s tellytax and the “democratic deficit” surrounding decisions on the tellytax and the long-term direction of the corporation. Jowell has rejected recommendations from two separate reports over the last eight months:
Lord Fowler, the committee’s chairman, said: “Parliament should have a much greater role in examining the BBC Charter and the BBC bid for an increased licence fee.
“The BBC now receives over £3 billion from the public. On the basis of the BBC’s bid this will rise to £4 billion in the next seven years. The way this bid is scrutinised is totally inadequate.”
The committee said it was deeply concerned about the “democratic deficit” surrounding both the licence fee and the BBC’s Royal Charter.
It continued: “We strongly believe that the government has too much unchecked power in these areas and that Parliament must be given a greater role.”
Hat tip: commenter Barker John for the DT link.
Of course, if you refuse to pay the TV-tax, then the rise does not effect you.