Caroline presses Prime Minister on urgent issues
GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, pressed the Prime Minister on urgent issues regarding the collapsing charity sector and the future of the BBC; the two topics being raised in the Liaison Committee session held on Monday (July 21) with Sir Keir Starmer in attendance.
Charities across the UK are currently facing unprecedented challenges with eighty-six percent reporting a rise in demand for their services; but individual and corporate donations have sadly decreased. At the same time rising costs and recent changes to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are placing significant strain on the already struggling sector.
According to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations the NICs hike could cost charities an estimated £1.4 billion; whilst nearly one in three expecting to cut staff as a result. The Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee asked the Labour Leader: “You are now attempting to break our charities. Just this month, the Marie Curie hospice in Liverpool closed its inpatient unit permanently.”
Caroline also highlighted the delays to the BBC Charter Review consultation and the sustainability of the licence fee. With inflation and production costs rising, concerns are growing about the regressive nature of the current funding model and its long-term viability. Speaking during the session, she asked:
“We were promised the BBC Charter Review at the beginning of the year. What is holding it up? In December we were told that it would be early in the new year. A fortnight ago, we were told that it would be later this year.”
Caroline also raised the issue of the BBC World Service’s international reach, which has been withdrawn from countries including Liberia, Lebanon, and Kenya. In the absence of British public broadcasting, foreign state-backed media, such as Russia Today and Chinese outlets, have gained ground, raising concerns about the erosion of the UK’s soft power.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the value of the BBC and the role of charities in tackling poverty and pledged to follow up with ministers.
Readers can watch Caroline’s contributions by clicking here and via this link that also includes responses from the Prime Minister; whilst readers can contact caroline.dinenage.mp@parliament.uk for more information.
PICTURED BY DAME CAROLINE DINENAGE MP MEDIA: The Gosport MP took the opportunity to question Labour Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, in a committee session held on Monday afternoon (July 21).
