BBC’s self-regulating trust should be scrapped, independent report by former Bank of England deputy governor finds
The BBC’s self-regulating body, the BBC Trust, should be scrapped, a new independent report has suggested.
Sir David Clementi, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, was tasked with conducting the review into how the BBC is regulated and governed as part of the Government's review of the corporation’s Royal Charter.
He has recommended today that the BBC Trust be closed and regulatory oversight of the corporation passed wholly to broadcast regulator Ofcom.
Clementi said: "The BBC Trust model is flawed. It conflates governance and regulatory functions within the Trust. The BBC should have a unitary board charged with responsibility for meeting the obligations placed on it under the Royal Charter and agreement, and responsibility for the interests of licence fee payers."
"Regulatory oversight should pass wholly to Ofcom, which is already the public service regulator for the UK’s broadcasting industry and has the ability to look at the BBC in the context of the market as a whole. Ofcom would be a strong regulator to match a strong BBC."
In a statement, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said: “I am most grateful to Sir David for his detailed analysis of the options for reforming the governance and regulation of the BBC. His report is extremely thorough and will make an invaluable contribution to the process of Charter Review."