No one should be forced to pay a subscription for any TV package they do not want – including the BBC licence fee, an MP has said.
Shipley MP Philip Davies wants government to scrap the current £159 annual TV licence fee and instead make the BBC a subscription service.
He said the move would allow people who want to access the channels to purchase them but stop others having to pay out each year for something they do not use.
Speaking during Culture, Media and Sport question time in the Commons Mr Davies said: “Does the Secretary of State believe that people should be forced under criminal law to buy a Sky TV package even if they do not want one, and if not why should they be forced to buy a BBC licence fee if they do not want? Does she not agree that both are equally absurd?”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “He will know the department is considering all possible future funding options to ensure the BBC long term sustainability because the digital is indeed changing.”
Mr Davies said long campaigned for the licence fee to be scrapped and for not buying a licence to be decriminalised.
He believes if the BBC is as good a value for money as some people believe it as nothing to fear from a subscription model.
He added: “The reason the BBC is petrified of abolishing the licence fee is that it may realise how unpopular it is and how few people actually want to contribute.
“We are in an increasing digital age where there are more channels and platforms to choose from and other subscription providers, yet people are still being forced to pay for the BBC. It is completely unacceptable – people have a right to choose and pay for what services they want.”