MPs to discuss petition relating to TV licensing

MPs will discuss e-petition 300118, relating to TV licensing. Jonathan Gullis MP (Stoke-on-Trent North), member of the Petitions Committee, will open the discussion. The Rt Hon John Whittingdale OBE MP, Minister for Media and Data, will respond for the Government.

The session comes as sittings in Westminster Hall, the traditional debating Chamber for e-petitions, are suspended. The session will allow petitioners’ concerns to be debated by MPs, including those who are shielding, and will be broadcast live on Parliament TV and YouTube.

Revoke the TV licence using legislation

The petition, which has more than 110,000 signatures, states:  “We wish the government to end the TV License as soon as possible.”

“The TV Licence is not required as many people no longer watch the BBC preferring to watch other media sources and listen to many of there radio stations especially the overseas service this is seen as the British public paying for a service they don’t need or use.”

In response to the petition, the Government said: “The Royal Charter maintains the licence fee funding model until 2027. The government will look at the licence fee funding model in advance of the next Charter.”

The 90 minute virtual session will start at 4.30pm and is open to Members from across the House, including those who are self-isolating or shielding. The sessions will be broadcast live on parliamentlive.tv and on YouTube, and a transcript of the session will be published.  

Find out more

• Find out more about the role of the Petitions Committee
• Find out more about select committees

Image: Unsplash