Bectu responds to government consultation on the future of the BBC

Bectu has submitted its response to the government consultation on the renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter.

The government is reviewing the Charter to decide on the terms for its renewal, and any changes needed to help the BBC to continue to serve the public.

Bectu’s response, informed by our members, highlights the importance of a strong and independent public service broadcaster for the health and success of the UK’s wider creative industries ecosystem, and as a vital part of the UK’s global soft power. 

In our response we argue that the BBC’s existing mission and public purposes should remain in place. The corporation plays a unique role in supporting cultural life across the UK, representing communities and providing high quality content that brings audiences together. At a time of significant change in the media landscape, maintaining this public service mission is more important than ever.

We also highlighted the BBC’s central role in the wider creative economy. As one of the UK’s largest commissioners of content, the BBC supports a vast network of freelancers, production companies and creative workers across the nations and regions. 

Our response also stresses the need for continued investment in skills, training and fair working practices across the industry. The BBC’s commissioning power can help set standards that improve working conditions, diversity pathways into the industry. We argue for new requirements for the corporation to improve workplace standards, and that the BBC’s whole supply chain must align with the CIISA Standards. 

Underpinning all this must be a sustainable, fair and independent funding model. With over 90% of UK adults and 80% of young adults using the BBC weekly, we argue that the licence fee is the only funding mechanism capable of maintaining this universality. 

Bectu has consistently raised concerns about the politicisation of BBC governance, particularly around board appointments and the overall leadership structure. We therefore call for governance reforms to ensure the Board is effective, diverse, and genuinely independent, and that its composition reflects public rather than political priorities.

Our response also argues the BBC must help set ethical standards for AI in public service media, particularly around worker protection, training data, attribution and consent. 

Bectu has written to MPs regarding the Charter renewal and will be hosting a BBC member meeting with the Secretary of State for DCMS Lisa Nandy at the end of the month.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“The BBC is a uniquely British institution and one that we are rightly very proud of.

“Its essential role in delivering trusted news and information, and as an incubator of talent right across the UK, must not be taken for granted. And its power to inform, educate and entertain must be reflected in how it is resourced, how its workforce is treated and in how it reflects the country.

“We are immensely proud to represent thousands of members who work for and interact with the BBC. In our consultation response we’ve captured members’ views about what must be protected and strengthened about this great institution, and what needs to improve to ensure it truly serves the whole nation, and maintains public trust.

“The BBC has made a formidable contribution to the UK’s culture and economy, despite having been forced to make significant savings in recent years. We will continue to push for sustainable funding that ensures it can maintain its breadth and depth of services, and properly support the talented workforce who make the institution what it is.

“But we are also not afraid to make clear where the BBC can and must do better. We will continue engaging with the government and the BBC throughout the Charter renewal process to ensure members’ voices are heard.”