Local issue

The DG's own MP, John Howell, member for Henley, is the latest Tory trying to pin the BBC to total funding of free licences for the over-75s. 

 “When the settlement was agreed with the BBC, they said it was fair. I think we (MPs) have all made representation that they....should reinstate the licences for the over-75s as there is an overriding responsibility to continue to provide this for them.”

 “There is an issue with financial planning at the BBC that it must undertake to resolve in its own organisation. The issue of the quality of its service being affected is an argument that they have put forward but they also have many channels to maintain.”

Mr Howell is backing former Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt in the Tory leadership contest. Mr Hunt's line on the licence fee is the same; we have yet to hear from Boris Johnson.