This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26682135

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Ministers back BBC licence fee powers change Ministers back TV licence fee powers change
(35 minutes later)
Ministers have formally backed plans to take powers to make non-payment of the BBC licence fee a civil rather than criminal offence, the BBC understands. Ministers have backed plans to take powers to make non-payment of the TV licence fee a civil rather than criminal offence, the BBC understands.
A senior Downing Street source said Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who had tabled proposals to decriminalise non-payment in the Commons, had "genuinely changed government thinking on the matter". A Conservative MP proposed immediate decriminalisation - but ministers are backing a revised amendment giving them power to make the change in the future.
There will be a year-long consultation in to how civil penalties could work. The amendment also proposes a review of penalties for non-payment which must be completed within 15 months.
The BBC says decriminalisation could cost £200m through increased evasion.The BBC says decriminalisation could cost £200m through increased evasion.
A TV licence, which is needed to watch or record live broadcasts on any device, currently costs £145.50 per year - those who refuse to pay face a £1,000 fine and a criminal record, as well as the prospect of jail if fines are not paid. A TV licence, which is needed to watch or record live broadcasts on any device in the UK, currently costs £145.50 per year.
Mr Bridgen originally planned to force a vote on immediate decriminalisation but has now tabled revised proposals that would give ministers the power to decriminalise in future. Those who refuse to pay face a £1,000 fine and a criminal record, as well as the prospect of jail if fines are not paid.
His original clause received 150 signatures. A senior Downing Street source said Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who had tabled a proposal in the House of Commons to decriminalise non-payment, had "genuinely changed government thinking on the matter".
Mr Bridgen's original proposal to force a vote on immediate decriminalisation was signed by 150 fellow MPs.
But he has now tabled a revised proposal that would give ministers the power to decriminalise in future.
His proposals have been tabled as amendments to the Deregulation Bill currently going through Parliament, and the revised proposal will be considered at a committee meeting on Tuesday.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC is content that this proposal balances a timely examination of this issue with a proper review of the options, while not taking any decisions prior to charter review."A BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC is content that this proposal balances a timely examination of this issue with a proper review of the options, while not taking any decisions prior to charter review."
In a statement, the BBC Trust - which oversees the BBC - said: "As the trust has said before, this is an issue that should be discussed in the round, including the potential impact on licence fee income and BBC output, with any decisions made as part of the charter review process. The BBC's current royal charter, which sets out its purposes and the way it is run, is reviewed every 10 years and the current one runs until the end of 2016.
"This amendment appears to be in line with that." In a statement, the BBC Trust - which oversees the BBC - said the licence fee issue should be "discussed in the round", taking account of the possible effect on BBC output.
It said any decisions should be made "as part of the charter review process", adding: "This amendment appears to be in line with that."
Speaking earlier this month, the corporation's strategy director warned BBC channels could close if non-payment of the licence fee was decriminalised.Speaking earlier this month, the corporation's strategy director warned BBC channels could close if non-payment of the licence fee was decriminalised.
James Purnell said it would be a "huge risk" and that losing the sum was equivalent to forcing BBC Four, CBBC and CBeebies off air.James Purnell said it would be a "huge risk" and that losing the sum was equivalent to forcing BBC Four, CBBC and CBeebies off air.
Culture Secretary Maria Miller has previously said "decriminalisation of the licence fee should be on the table" during the BBC's charter review before 2017.Culture Secretary Maria Miller has previously said "decriminalisation of the licence fee should be on the table" during the BBC's charter review before 2017.
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has said the move could ease pressure on the courts system, with TV licensing cases accounting for more than one in 10 criminal prosecutions in 2012.Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has said the move could ease pressure on the courts system, with TV licensing cases accounting for more than one in 10 criminal prosecutions in 2012.
In the same year, about 155,000 people were convicted and fined for not paying the fee while there were 180,000 prosecutions.In the same year, about 155,000 people were convicted and fined for not paying the fee while there were 180,000 prosecutions.