Dorries hits out at BBC ‘bias and groupthink' and reviews funding

THE BBC needs to “address issues around impartiality”, said Nadine Dorries as she confirmed the licence fee would be frozen at £159 for two years.

- Martyn Brown

The Culture Secretary insisted it was a “fair settlement for the BBC”, with the corporation expected to receive around £3.7billion in licence fee funding this year.

But she also attacked the broadcaster, arguing that as well as issues around impartiality, it also needed to address “groupthink”.

Ms Dorries said the Government could “not justify extra pressure on the wallets of hardworking households”.

She said the cost would remain fixed until April 2024. It would then rise in line with inflation for the following four years. Plans take effect from April 1.