BBC DIRECTOR GENERAL TIM DAVIE HAS CALLED FOR A HIGHER LICENCE FEE AFTER CRITICISING A DECADE OF "GRINDING" CUTS. 15:37, 03 Jun 2025 TV licence fee hike fears are growing - as the

BBC boss pushes the Labour Party government for more funding. BBC Director General Tim Davie has called for a higher licence fee after criticising a decade of "grinding" cuts. The

Government is reviewing the BBC ’s Charter, looking at how it should be funded, after committing to increasing the licence fee in line with inflation each year until 2027. In April, there

was a rise from £169.50 to £174.50 in the household charge, after years in which the licence fee was first frozen and then increased at a slower rate than the BBC expected, leaving the

“I think there is reform (needed) in terms of potential (changes to the) licence fee, how progressive it is, and you’ll debate the enforcement question.” He added that he does “not want the

same system” in the future, but said: “I do want universal funding, and I want a proper investigation of begrudging, grinding cuts that we’ve seen over the last 10 years, which has just not

helped.” Mr Davie also told the event, at Convene Sancroft in the St Paul’s area, that he is concerned about the people who “don’t care” about the BBC and are “disengaged”, rather than

people who criticise the corporation. Article continues below He said he wants to “celebrate the fact that people care”, as the BBC features heavily on “front pages” in the UK. Mr Davie also

indicated he was positive about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), before saying the BBC has “very big ambition around the media supply chain” including the “need for muscular

partnerships with the big American technology companies”.