Recommendation 13

The BBC is currently approaching the end of a five-year savings programme, which targeted £1 billion annual savings by the end of 2021–22 to address the shortfall in its finances created by these challenges. The BBC’s net commercial income is not at a level to make a significant contribution to its overall income position. In 2019–20, £208 million of its commercial income was available for use on its public service broadcasting—under 6% of licence fee income.23 In November 2020, the BBC began negotiations with government about the future funding it will receive from the licence fee. The BBC will also be subject to a mid-term review of its Charter by government between 2022 and 2024.24 The BBC’s financial planning