17Jan 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
‘Back off our BBC!’ say Lib Dems

‘Back off our BBC!’ say Lib Dems

Parliamentary news
Responding to DCMS Secretary Nadine Dorries' comments regarding the future of the BBC, Liberal Democrat DCMS Spokesperson Jamie Stone MP said: “This latest Tory attack on the BBC threatens to destroy a service which is respected around the world for its high quality content. “Freezing the license fee represents a stealth cut of almost £2 billion that will put services, including local radio stations and children's programming, at risk. “What’s worse, there is no clarity about the future and threadbare funding will only further chip away at our cherished national broadcaster. “Our world leading creative industries support thousands of jobs, but Nadine Doris only cares about trying to silence unfavourable headlines. “The Government must stop this reckless ideological crusade and back off our BBC.”
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11Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
China’s BBC ban a crackdown on fundamental freedoms

China’s BBC ban a crackdown on fundamental freedoms

Parliamentary news
Responding to the Chinese Government banning BBC World News Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: “The Chinese government’s BBC ban, in response to their reporting on the Uyghur genocide and other abuses, marks their latest move in an unacceptable crackdown on fundamental freedoms. We've already seen the consequences of this in Hong Kong. “The role of media outlets such as the BBC is crucial to ensuring high-quality reporting of events around the world. What is happening to the Uyghurs in Xinjiang is a genocide, and silencing the BBC for reporting on it shows that the Chinese government has no intention on stopping its appalling human rights abuses. “We urge the UK Government to stand up for the BBC and work together with our international allies to stand…
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29Sep 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
BBC licence fee should be set by independent body

BBC licence fee should be set by independent body

Parliamentary news
At their Autumn Conference, the Liberal Democrats have agreed proposals that would see the BBC licence fee level set independently next year after government cuts forced the BBC to end free TV licences for most over-75s. Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper warned that the Government must never again be allowed to "force the BBC into a corner where it has to choose between cuts to programming or raising these fees on the most vulnerable." The Party, which led a cross party group of 106 parliamentarians calling for a review of the decision to cut hundreds of BBC staff working across regional programmes, has agreed plans to protect the long–term future of the BBC. Members have also called on the Government to uphold its promise to retain the…
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03Aug 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

BBC licence fee should be set by independent body, Lib Dems plan

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are to debate plans at their Autumn conference to ensure the BBC licence fee level is set independently next year after government cuts forced the BBC to end free TV licences for most over-75s. Liberal Democrat Culture spokesperson Daisy Cooper, who will move the motion at the Party's first digital conference, warned the Government must never again be allowed to "force the BBC into a corner where it has to choose between cuts to programming or raising these fees on the most vulnerable." The Party, which led a cross party group of 106 parliamentarians calling for a review of the decision to cut hundreds of BBC staff working across regional programmes, will put forward plans to protect the long–term future of the BBC.   They will call…
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16Jul 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Consequences of Government cuts for BBC is now clear as day

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports the BBC have announced Politics Live will be kept amidst fresh jobs losses, Liberal Democrat Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “At a time when families are facing serious financial hardship, these job losses are really worrying. They will have a knock on impact for many of the production companies and people who are already wrongly excluded from government support. “While I welcome the decision to listen to the demands from Liberal Democrats and others to protect Politics Live and launch new investigative programs, I fear these job cuts will seriously diminish the BBC’s important global reach at this crucial juncture for our country. “Let’s be clear: these are Government enforced cuts and the inevitable consequence of the Government forcing the BBC to take…
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24Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Continue Free Television Licences for Over 75s

Campaigns
Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council has appealed to the Government. This is in a letter to the Secretary of State of The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The intention is to provide enough funding to continue free television (TV) licences. This is for the over-75s beyond the current 1st August 2020 cut-off date. The call comes as Covid-19 prevents many elderly people who are shielding from going out as normal. For many who live alone, the television may be their sole companion. Not just a source of entertainment, the television allows people to stay informed on current Government advice in an ever-changing situation. Councillor Sykes comments: “Tragically, Covid-19 has taken far too many of our citizens, particularly our older…
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25Mar 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Coronavirus crisis demonstrates how valuable our public service broadcasters are

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that the BBC News is to suspend its plans to cut 450 jobs, Liberal Democrat DCMS spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: “It is in times like this that our public service broadcasters demonstrate most clearly just how valuable they are. The BBC is right to ensure it remains properly staffed. “For older people in particular, television is one of the few ways during this crisis we can continue to connect to the outside world. The BBC has a vital role in communicating trusted health advice, scrutinising the Government’s actions, combating fake news and lifting the nation’s spirits. “When the coronavirus pandemic is over, we will look back in disbelief at the Government’s plans earlier this year to pull the BBC’s funding rug from underneath it. In an age…
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