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Thursday, 16 October 2025

The BBC - or the land of official insolence



BBC Director-General Tim Davie says he backs 'enforcement' for TV licence fee evaders


The head of the BBC has said it is right that licence fee dodgers are taken to court.

Director-General Tim Davie claimed that the public also back ‘enforcement’ for those who evade the annual charge to watch TV, which rose to £174.50 this year, despite growing calls for decriminalisation.

Asked if he approved of the current system, under which those who refuse to pay up can be prosecuted and slapped with a £1,000 fine, he told BBC Breakfast this morning: ‘I do approve of enforcement. And actually, when you talk to most people who are paying their licence fee, they would say if people are evading the licence fee, it should be enforced.’

Pressed on whether that meant he supported people being fined or going to jail, Mr Davie said: ‘Absolutely I support the current system.’



He makes you feel that you are once more in the land of official insolence, and that, whatever you are collectively, you are nothing personally.

William Dean Howells - Their Wedding Journey (1872)

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