Every family could be forced to pay a BBC tax \u2014 even if they don’t own a television, says a new proposal from a British communications and network firm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources believe the \u00a3159-a-year licence fee should be replaced with a new television tax based on household income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee’s compulsory TV tax plan is similar to the one used in Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There, the amount people pay for public broadcasting is linked to how much property tax they pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, TaxPayers’ Alliance CEO John O’Connell stated, \u201cTaxpayers shouldn\u2019t be forced to prop up the BBC via the licence fee or any other tax.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This insane idea is no better than the licence fee.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lords committee rejected a Netflix-style subscription service as well as Government cash grants that would fully fund the BBC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to them, the corporation is facing “major challenges,” including “increasing competition and costs, as well as limited funding.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The committee concluded that, when it comes to what the BBC does, the status quo is not an option,” said chairwoman Baroness Stowell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has previously directed that the “outdated” 100-year-old funding model be overhauled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She wants it gone by 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We welcome the Lords’ report,” the BBC said. It is right there is a debate on whether the licence fee needs to evolve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Every family could be forced to pay a BBC tax \u2014 even if they don’t own a television, says a new proposal from a British communications and network firm. Sources … <\/p>\n