Forty-Sixth Report - BBC Digital
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 736
28 April 2023
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Forty sixth report from Session 2022-23 · published 27 Jun 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
13 results
5
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Review BBC data collection and storage policies, ensure minimum data collection and safety.
Recommendation
The BBC has developed its approach to data security since 2019 but is not yet doing enough to manage the risks arising from increased access to users’ personal data. The BBC needs to collect and hold some audience data to …
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Government Response Summary
The government response provided addresses a recommendation to the Department for Business and Trade regarding fraud and error in COVID-19 grant schemes, which is entirely unrelated to the committee's recommendation concerning the BBC's data collection and storage policies.
HM Treasury
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1
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Committee receives evidence regarding BBC's digital transformation plans.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the BBC about its plans for digital transformation.1
Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about the committee taking evidence.
HM Treasury
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6
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC shows limited strategic planning for wholesale move from traditional broadcasting.
Conclusion
In December 2022, the BBC’s Director-General followed up on the May announcement, describing the BBC’s vision for where it should aim to be by the 2030s and setting out plans to move to an internet future with greater urgency.6 He …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about the BBC's planning for switching off traditional broadcasting.
HM Treasury
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8
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Reversal of BBC Three's digital-only move highlights risks of premature switchover.
Conclusion
BBC Three was taken off air as a traditional linear broadcast channel and was made an internet-only channel in 2016. Six years later that decision was reversed on the grounds of it having reduced the BBC’s impact with younger audiences, …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about BBC Three.
HM Treasury
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15
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC announced £500 million digital-first investment plan funded through savings and commercial income.
Conclusion
In May 2022, the BBC announced a £500 million investment plan, in support of its digital-first ambitions. The BBC plans for this to come from £200 million a year in spending reductions as well as £300 million a year from …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about the BBC's £500 million investment plan.
HM Treasury
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16
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC acknowledges £500 million digital investment plan might be insufficient, requiring difficult decisions.
Conclusion
We asked whether the BBC considered £500 million would be enough for its investment plan. The BBC said that pressure on the £500 million had increased and it would have to “box very clever”.25 It said it had already taken …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about the sufficiency of the BBC's investment plan.
HM Treasury
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17
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC needs more capital for technology investment but rules out subscription services for funding.
Conclusion
On financial plans, the BBC also said it thought it would have to find ways of attracting more capital into its technology investment.28 But it made clear that there is no plan in the UK to add subscription services, as …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about the BBC's financial plans and subscription services.
HM Treasury
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18
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC's digital investment plan lacks sufficient detail on savings and financial contingencies.
Conclusion
We raised a concern about the lack of sufficient detail to support the BBC’s digital investment plan, for example around how savings will be achieved, what happens if savings targets are not met, or whether additional borrowing would be required.30 …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about the detail of the BBC's digital investment plan.
HM Treasury
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19
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC faces a shortage of specialist digital staff due to lower comparative pay levels.
Conclusion
Although the BBC has managed to successfully recruit and retain a number of highly skilled individuals to lead its digital teams, overall it has a shortage of specialist digital staff. In common with other organisations, the BBC has experienced technology …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about the BBC's shortage of specialist digital staff.
HM Treasury
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20
Conclusion
Not Addressed
High staff turnover in BBC's digital product group is hindering technical development.
Conclusion
The product group in the BBC—responsible for developing and delivering the BBC’s audience-facing digital products—accounts for 5.7% of the total BBC public service pay bill.35 In its product group the BBC had 23% staff turnover as of June 2022. This …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing this specific conclusion about staff turnover in the BBC's product group.
HM Treasury
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26
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC aims to develop unique recommendation algorithms reflecting its public service values.
Conclusion
The BBC also told us that it needed to build something different to a commercial algorithm, saying that there are many commercial models that lead you to where you do not want to be. Whereas, the BBC also has its …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing the substance of the committee's conclusion.
HM Treasury
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27
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC's increased use of personal data for personalisation poses reputational risks.
Conclusion
To build a more personalised experience for its users, the BBC will need to increase its use of their personal data. The BBC plans to use these data to support commissioning decisions and to make tailored content recommendations, and needs …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing the substance of the committee's conclusion.
HM Treasury
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28
Conclusion
Not Addressed
BBC affirms no plans to commercialise or sell user data, despite future increased collection.
Conclusion
The BBC told us it had no plans to commercialise the data it holds on viewers, assuring us categorically that it had no plans to use or sell UK subscriber data to any other party for commercial purposes. It said …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response states that the BBC will write directly to the Committee regarding the recommendations in the report, without addressing the substance of the committee's conclusion.
HM Treasury
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