Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, responding to Lord Hall’s speech on the future of the BBC, said:

“The Government’s actions are an assault on the independence of the BBC. Lord Hall is right to set alarm bells ringing about the future of the BBC. 

“Ministers are intent on wrecking the BBC. They want to shorten the Charter period to exert more political influence, plus they want to cut down the size of the Corporation and narrow its remit.

“Labour understands that the BBC needs to reform and that’s why we have said that the BBC Trust should be scrapped and replaced with a better system. Lord Hall is also right that the public should have more of a say over the future of the BBC and that we should see an end to the backroom licence fee deals we’ve seen in recent years.

“But what the Government is planning will not only cause irreversible damage to the BBC, it will put in jeopardy the future success of the UK creative industries and hurt the wider economy. 

“Labour is committed to fighting for a BBC that continues to inform, educate and entertain - and one that provides something for everyone.”