Moved by
Lord Inglewood
31: After Clause 81, insert the following new Clause—
“The independence and funding of the BBC
(1) The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.
(2) After section 198ZA (inserted by section 81 of this Act) insert—
“198ZB The independence and funding of the BBC
(1) The BBC is to be independent in all matters concerning the content of its output, the times and manner in which its output is supplied, and the governance and management of its affairs.
(2) The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State, the BBC, OFCOM, and all other persons and bodies with responsibility for matters relating to the governance and establishment of the BBC must ensure that the BBC is able to operate independently from Ministers and other public authorities in the United Kingdom.
(3) The licence fee is to be for the exclusive benefit of and use by the BBC to fund the performance of the BBC’s functions and public purposes.
(4) Subject to sections 365 and 365A, the Secretary of State may not transfer to the BBC responsibility, including liability and costs, for any public expenditure.””