Ministers explore cuts to BBC World Service as part of aid budget cull

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The British government is discussing its BBC’s World BBC Grant Reductions Expenses, and the program will provide changes in its budget as a result of recently announced outdoors.

BBC CEO Tim Davi said that the corporation is going to be involved in the outcome of the decision with external office officials.

“We were asked to prepare for further involvement with FCDO in the last few days [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] The impact of reducing expenses abroad, “he wrote to the Chairmen of the International Development of Parliament, Culture and Foreign Relations.

He added.

Most of the World Service Grant is derived from the official budget, while the small share is brought from other funding amnames within the framework of a foreign office.

Government officials noted that the reductions in the BBC World Service Grant are subject to discussion, but they claim that no final decisions have been made.

SIR KEIR STARMER The announced plans will cut the British aid last month to finance the growth of defense expenses since 2027.

BBC leaders fear that the government will use foreign aid abroad through the budget for the World Service by the Further Worker.

BBC News Global Director Jonathan Hrhangron said that “financial times”, “Since freedom of the press is sharply decreasing, misinformation and state-supported media outlets are aggressive. [the World Service’s] The role is more and more important. ”

He added: “We need a solution to a stable, long-term funding, which allows the world to meet these global challenges and invest in future services.”

In the autumn budget, the department provided 30% increase in state funding for the World Service in 2025-26, receiving the government’s grant of 137 million pounds.

David told MPs last week that money “is consumed in April 2026” and “just to keep the show on the road” [make] proper investment. “

He said that he was “knowing” the government’s decision to change the government, but added: “I would suggest that it is probably not positive.”

The working chair of the International Development Commission, Sarah Champion, said. “The World Service is a British Crown Ornate, trusts the world. Russia and China have poured the area to a number of a number where services have been reduced. “

In the BBC, some have floated the idea of ​​the government, which fully funds the world service. Chair of BBC Samir Shah said to the deputies to the deputies that if the government “withdraws” the global service, it would save us 100 million pounds a year. [But] It’s not my gift. ”

Last week, British Foreign Secretary David Lammim told FT that almost every element of aid budget is considered “line” to reduce the possible reduction in June.

People inside FCDO fall into their share of expenditure for wider reductions, assistant budget reduction. The diplomatic registration of the department is another opportunity, which caused an alarm among the previous tangerines.

Lammean has previously been a stable BBC defender, it brands one of the main institutions that makes the UK’s soft power abroad, which in turn described Britain’s “one of the biggest strengths.”

He criticized the conservatives to disrupt his foreign policy for the spread of the word.

FCDO officials said the BBC Funding Model should be considered a review of the upcoming Charter Charter Corporation.

However, they stressed that the government’s support for the World Service has been shown in the budget in October last year.

Officials say they are alive for the arguments made by the BBC’s automoles that the World Service is responsible for misinformation abroad.

FCDO said: