BBC licence fee dodging may not be civil offence

A MOVE to decriminalise not paying the TV licence fee could be shelved over fears it would send the message it is ‘acceptable’, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden suggested yesterday.

He told MPs there were ‘ major challenges’ around decriminalisation.

Earlier this year, the Government carried out a consultation on whether criminal sanctions were still appropriate, citing concerns they were unfair and ‘disproportionate’.

The alternative would be to take action against non-payers using the civil law.

In recent months, it had seemed inevitable the Government would stop treating non-payment as a criminal offence. But Mr Dowden said: ‘I do think there are major challenges around decriminalisation, which we can continue to consider.

‘I am concerned that... we do not send a signal that it’s acceptable not to pay your TV licence.’ He added: ‘I think I’d be concerned about sending signals around non-payment.’

The Government is due to publish its response to the consultation in the coming weeks. The BBC has claimed that

‘Sending signals about non-payment’

switching to a civil law system would cost it more than £200million a year.

Mr Dowden revealed to the Commons digital, culture, media and sport committee he had discussed the issue ‘at length’ with new BBC director general Tim Davie, who has said decriminalisation does not pass the ‘logic test’.

The minister also did not rule out the privatisation of Channel 4, saying: ‘I don’t think it’s unreasonable that given the massive changes in the public service broadcasting landscape... of course all options need to be on the table.’

Meanwhile, the salary of the new BBC chairman has been raised from £100,000 to £160,000 to attract ‘credible’ candidates.

The Cabinet Office published the job advert yesterday. Current chairman Sir David Clementi steps down in February.

The role was reportedly offered to former Daily Telegraph editor Charles Moore who is said to have wanted £280,000, but ruled himself out this month.

Ex-PM Theresa May’s former director of communications Sir Robbie Gibb are among those tipped for the job.