Higher-off households ought to pay extra for the BBC, a former chairman has advised, as he branded the present licence payment « regressive ».
Beneath the present system, Richard Sharp mentioned he was involved these on decrease incomes paid the identical as richer folks for the general public service broadcaster.
He mentioned the controversial flat-rate levy could possibly be changed by a cost linked to broadband payments or council tax.
The federal government is taking a look at whether or not to exchange the £159-a-year licence payment with a brand new funding mannequin after 2027.
The price is because of begin rising once more with inflation subsequent April, after a two-year freeze.
Mr Sharp, a Tory donor, stop as BBC chairman earlier this 12 months after a report discovered he breached guidelines by failing to reveal the position he performed in serving to then-prime minister Boris Johnson safe an £800,000 mortgage.
Questioning the equity of the licence payment, he instructed The Every day Telegraph’s Chopper’s Politics podcast: « I’d be in favour of a type of a compulsory cost – at the moment the licence payment.
« There’s one difficulty which is it is regressive, which can have to be addressed. »
Mentioning poorer households paid the identical worth, he added: « You’ll be able to take a look at fashions around the globe, there is a broadband tax, there is a family tax and there is the licence payment. Change is disruptive from shifting from one mechanism that works to a different. »
Labour has beforehand indicated it might think about means-testing the payment if it gained energy.
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Girls disproportionately prosecuted
Mr Sharp was additionally involved the best way the licence payment was enforced by door-stepping inspectors meant ladies had been disproportionately prone to be prosecuted for non-payment.
Failing to pay the licence payment is a criminal offense.
Virtually 1,000 folks every week – seven out of 10 of whom are ladies – are prosecuted for evasion.
He mentioned: « The 2 challenges are clearly it is regressive and likewise that the gathering course of can fall tougher on ladies as a result of ladies typically reply the door. »
Mr Sharp mentioned each side of the Home of Commons « broadly assist the BBC », and that any adjustments to its funding mannequin needs to be debated in parliament.
However he warned towards decriminalising the licence payment, saying it may result in extra folks being introduced earlier than the civil courts over non-payment.
He mentioned: « The sanction itself drives behaviour. Should you go to civil litigation, you truly can improve the quantity of litigation that takes place. So it is not as apparent as you suppose.
« On account of folks paying the licence payment, you get a standard good, which is you get an unimaginable worth for what persons are truly paying on a family foundation. »
Within the wake of his personal expertise as chairman, Mr Sharp additionally mentioned he would advise somebody going for the job to « be sure you and your loved ones know what you are stepping into » and warned it made them « a goal ».
He mentioned: « It is a sufficiently essential establishment that who ever is the chair is susceptible. »
The difficulty of freelancers and impartiality on the BBC was additionally « one thing that wanted to be addressed », he mentioned, after the controversy sparked by Gary Lineker when he in contrast the federal government’s language used to advertise its asylum plans to Nineteen Thirties Germany.
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