BBC mid-term review focuses on working class representation

The BBC is to be formally targeted with ensuring 25% of its staff are from low socio-economic backgrounds and half of its TV spend is invested outside London, as the DCMS fires the starting gun on the mid-term review.

Unveiled by culture secretary Nadine Dorries, the regular review comes halfway through the existing charter and cements commitments made as part of the BBC’s Annual Plan to improve representation.

As part of its ‘legal directive’ to the BBC to make sure it promotes equality of opportunity for people from working class backgrounds, the DCMS will also require it to meet its goal of offering 1,000 apprenticeships per year by 2025.

The framework agreement will further reflect the government’s ambition for the BBC to promote greater diversity of opinion by holding it to meet certain out-of-London production quotas – 50% for TV and 60% for radio.

The review will also consider the effectiveness of the BBC’s editorial complaints process, including Ofcom’s role in holding it to account, as well as examine its market impact on the wider media landscape on areas including commercial radio and local news.

Commercial arm BBC Studios’ activities will also be assessed to ensure it is properly supporting the corporation’s public service duties and it does not create an unfair competitive advantage.

Dorries said: “The BBC is a world-class broadcaster but one which has to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape just like all broadcasters are. The government is committed to ensuring the BBC is more impartial, more accessible and more reflective of our country’s variety of viewpoints.

“This review will build on our recent progress to make the BBC more accountable to those who fund it, level up people’s access to the job opportunities it offers and ensure it continues to work in the best interest of the public.”

BBC chair Richard Sharp added: “The mid-term review is built into our charter. We welcome it and we will engage fully and constructively. We look forward to working with government and Ofcom.”

A separate review into the licence fee will get underway this summer, led by a yet-to-be appointed individual.