Unrealistic licence fee due to Government smash and grab - Foster

4.14.57pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 14th Sep 2006

Commenting ahead of Tessa Jowell's speech to the Royal Television Society London conference today where she will tell the BBC that their bid is too high, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary, Don Foster MP said:

"Tessa is right to criticise the BBC's licence fee bid, which throws in not just the kitchen sink but the washing up liquid as well. What she fails to point out is that the BBC's demand for money could be massively reduced if the Government were prepared to foot the bill for digital switchover.

"Forcing the BBC to pay for the costs of digital switchover to disadvantaged groups has effectively amounted to a licence fee smash and grab."