19
Rejected
The BBC told us that its ability to effectively carry out long-term budgeting and strategy...
Conclusion
The BBC told us that its ability to effectively carry out long-term budgeting and strategy planning is hampered by the FCDO’s funding approach. For example, the BBC noted that, at the time of our evidence session on 8 January, it did not yet have its funding settlement from the FCDO for the new financial year starting in April.37 The BBC explained that although it was able to manage the risk associated with uncertain funding 35 C&AG’s Report, paras 1.10-1.11, 2.4, Figure 4 36 C&AG’s Report, para 1.13, Figure 6 37 Q 5 13 levels through planning for different scenarios, shorter lead times lead to a lower quality of decision making.38 However, the BBC was optimistic that its next settlement from the FCDO would be for a longer-term settlement.39
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with committing to a specific long-term funding model now, stating it would be premature ahead of the BBC Charter Review ending December 2027. They will explore multi-year budget options as part of the Charter Review and have confirmed interim funding of £148 million per year for 2026–27 to 2028–29.
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
4.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 4.2 The government set out its ambition in the BBC Charter Review to establish a long-term, sustainable funding model for the BBC World Service that delivers stable and predictable funding for the BBC World Service. Funding models for the BBC’s international work will be reviewed alongside consideration of funding options for the BBC as a whole. 4.3 The current Charter ends on 31 December 2027, and a DCMS White Paper is due later this year. It would be premature to commit now to a specific long-term funding model, including changes to how funding is presented in Spending Reviews, ahead of the Charter Review. 4.4 As part of the Charter Review, the government will explore options for bespoke arrangements that could provide multi-year budgets for the BBC World Service. In the interim, the FCDO has confirmed grant-in-aid funding of £148 million per year for 2026–27 to 2028–29.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry
BBC World Service 2024-25
Report
72nd Report - BBC World Service
13 Mar 2026
HC 1299
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.4 yrs
Report published
13 Mar 2026