Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Deferred
BBC's digital account data cannot directly support licence fee enforcement activities.
Conclusion
We queried why digital audience engagement through the accounts necessary to use iPlayer cannot support more digital licence fee enforcement activities. The BBC told us that its household-address based licensing system does not match individual based BBC account data, so it cannot directly tie digital use to a licence holder.13 It explained that it chooses not to gate iPlayer or BBC News in the way a commercial provider would in order to preserve universality.14 It added that it currently operates in a hybrid broadcast-and-digital system, which shapes how usage and payment can be linked.15
Government Response Summary
The government responded by outlining work related to a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU and strengthening resilience to animal disease, entirely unrelated to BBC iPlayer or licence fee enforcement.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. requested by the Committee, noting that the negotiations for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, and timescales involved, will need to be integrated into development of this work. The department will examine strategic themes to determine how to strengthen long-term resilience to animal disease. The review will take account of other strategic interdependencies such as the livestock ID and traceability reforms, APHA’s systems reforms, upgrades to the National Biosecurity Centre, Veterinary Workforce and Vaccine Availability strategies and the UK Biological Security Strategy.