The culture secretary has said she is concerned the planned 9% rise in the BBC licence fee is “very high” and that the BBC must remain “value for money”.

Lucy Frazer said the government wanted to ensure the licence fee rises by an “appropriate amount” amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The licence fee is currently £159 per year but is due to increase by 9% or £15 to £173.30 in April.

Asked by Sky News’s Kay Burley whether the planned rise would not happen due to the government’s concerns, Ms Frazer replied: “I’m concerned that that’s a very high level.

“It’s a decision that I’m looking at the moment and we’ll be making an announcement on this very shortly.”

Pressed again on whether the rise would not go ahead, Ms Frazer replied: “Well, I’m concerned about that level of rise. So it’s something that we’re looking at very carefully.”

Ms Frazer said that although she believed the BBC provided a “fantastic service” and was an “amazing tool for soft power”, the “media landscape is changing” and the licence fee must be “fair to people”.

University Challenge episode pulled after disabled contestants complain about accessibility provisions

BBC Newsnight to be cut to 30 minutes and lose more than half its staff

Ofsted chief Spielman makes grade onto BBC chair shortlist

She said 400,000 people did not renew their licence fees last year and that’s why I’m also doing a broader review on the licence fee in the round and how we should fund the BBC.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters over the weekend that the BBC should be “realistic about what it can expect people to pay at a time like this”.

“I think it is welcome that the BBC are looking at making savings and efficiencies in how they operate,” he said.

“It’s really important that when things are difficult everyone is doing what they can to ease the cost of living on families.

“That’s certainly what I have done over the last year and made a bunch of decisions that haven’t been easy, but that’s helped to bring inflation down to ease the burden and the cost of living.

“The BBC like any other organisation that serves the public should be looking to do that and cut its cloth appropriately so I think that is very welcome.

Read more:
BBC licence fee: What could alternative funding methods look like beyond 2027?
BBC Newsnight to be cut to 30 minutes and lose more than half its staff

“I think going forward, look the BBC – final decisions haven’t been obviously – but the BBC should be realistic about what it can expect people to pay at a time like this.”

The government is currently looking at whether to replace the £159-a-year licence fee with a new funding model after 2027, when its Royal Charter ends.

The licence fee is due to start rising again with inflation from April after a two-year freeze.

Non-payment of the licence fee is a crime and is enforced by door-stepping inspectors.

Almost 1,000 people a week – seven out of 10 of whom are women – are prosecuted for evasion.

Asked whether pensioners should be “locked up if they don’t pay their licence fee”, Ms Frazer said: “I’m not in favour of criminalisation and it’s one of the things that we will be looking at in the charter review.”

Related posts:

Doubt cast over 21 June reopening as minister stresses need for ‘cautious’ approach Govt to set out N Ireland plans within two weeks – as PM told trust in him at ‘all-time low’ Number of countries on travel red list slashed to seven with 47 destinations set to be removed PM declines to apologise for handling of Paterson lobbying scandal ahead of emergency debate Watch live: Emergency debate on MPs standards amid Owen Paterson row PM: ‘Complete nonsense’ to say govt prioritised animals over people during Afghan evacuation Labour say PM’s position ‘completely untenable’ as he prepares for questions over lockdown party PM vows ‘extra cash’ to help with bills – as Zahawi suggests people should cut back on energy use Local road conditions in England and Wales revealed as pothole repair budgets reach ‘record high’ HS2 delays won’t save money, minister admits Request for young asylum seekers on £1,600 a month pilot to get free legal aid blocked Steve Barclay’s offer to treat Welsh and Scottish patients in England ‘a cheap stunt’