BBC licence fee facing axe as Nadine Dorries says funding model ‘completely outdated’

The culture secretary says the government will also be looking at ways media watchdog Ofcom can ‘hold the BBC to account’

The culture secretary, Nadine Dorries (PA Wire)

The end of the BBC’s licence fee has moved a step closer after the government outlined plans to overhaul the broadcaster’s funding model.

A white paper laid out by Nadine Dorries said there were “clear challenges on the horizon to the sustainability of the licence fee” as viewing habits change.

It came as the culture secretary claimed the corporation’s was “completely outdated” and promised decisions on its future “well ahead” of the BBC charter renewal in 2027.