Jowell rejects DTV licence fee reduction

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The UK Government has dismissed calls for a reduction in the BBC licence fee for viewers unable to access digital television services. Culture secretary Tessa Jowell said she had "no intention" of offering a discount but instead wanted to "accelerate" preparation for digital switch-over.

Labour MP Gorton Prentice protested that 20% of the population could not access digital terrestrial television (DTT) services but paid 100% of the licence fee.

"If this state of affairs was to continue for a year or two maybe that would be acceptable but with digital analogue switch-over to be completed by 2012 that is asking an awful lot of people," he said in Commons questions to Jowell.

Jowell said the Government wanted to maintain platform choice because DTT was accessed by only 73% of the population at present. Cable and satellite platforms were available for those unable to get DTT.

However, she acknowledged: "The public want more digital television. The process of digital switch-over now has a real sense of momentum behind it. But the judgments about when it will be technically right to undertake switch-over region by region is a judgment that we will take from the broadcasters."

Tory MP Peter Atkinson said a new free-to-view satellite service should be established for people unable to access DTT until switch-over. Jowell replied: "We have already had discussions with the BBC about this. I know Sky also are looking at this option."

Jowell said DTT remained the best way of ensuring universal access and affordability.