BBC Music: Campaign to protect broadcaster's music services backed by Culture Secretary John Whittingdale

 #LetItBeeb is a public campaign backed by leading musicians and industry figures in support of the radio and television services provided by BBC Music

Adam Sherwin
Tuesday 13 October 2015 14:49 BST
Comments
Culture Secretary John Whittingdale speaks at a Parliamentary event organised by the UK Music lobbying body
Culture Secretary John Whittingdale speaks at a Parliamentary event organised by the UK Music lobbying body

A campaign to protect music on the BBC from cuts under the Government’s Charter Renewal plans, received a surprise boost when John Whittingdale, the Culture Secretary, said he would sign a petition backing the drive.

Mr Whittingdale gave his support to #LetItBeeb, a public campaign backed by leading musicians and industry figures in support of the radio and television services provided by BBC Music that are “currently under threat from Government Charter Renewal.”

Ministers are examining the “distinctiveness” of Radio 1 and 2 as part of a wide-ranging review of the BBC’s future size and scope.

Sir Paul McCartney and Rita Ora are among the musicians who signed the petition demanding that “the Government protects vital BBC music services from any budgetary cuts during the charter renewal process. Any cuts would have far reaching cultural, social and economic implications for the UK.”

Singer Rita Ora was one of those to sign the petition

Signatory Bob Geldof added a message to ministers: “F*** off and leave the BBC and British music alone. You know nothing about either - leave it to the people that do.”

Mr Whittingdale attended a Parliamentary event organised by the UK Music lobbying body, attended by the singer Sam Smith, Jake Bugg and members of Pink Floyd and Kaiser Chiefs.

The minister was not expected to speak but told the audience, which included Tony Hall, the BBC Director-General: “I want the BBC to go on proving services like Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3 - all of which cater for tastes which are not served by the commercial sector.

“In some ways, actually, my criticism of the BBC is that they don't do enough for music. Radio is very well served but on TV, I’d actually like to see a bit more.

“As long as I am secretary of state, I will continue to support the BBC in highlighting the incredible talent that we have in this country. I haven’t seen your petition but I think I'd be very willing to sign it.”

Sam Smith, who topped the charts with his Bond theme Writing's On The Wall, said he was “worried” about the impact cuts would have on young artists. He told BBC News: “BBC music is one of the main reasons I am actually here, and where I am in my career.”

The BBC must absorb the £700m-a-year cost of free TV licences for the over-75s under a new licence fee deal agreed with the Treasury and faces a real-terms spending cut of 20% over the next five years.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in