THE BBC’s chairman has blasted the TV licence fee as a “regressive” tax.
Richard Sharp yesterday admitted the £159 annual charge penalised the poor, women and pensioners.
The Corporation’s chairman was asked by MPs if he still believed the telly tax funding model was the “least worst option”.
Mr Sharp replied: “There are issues with the licence.
“It’s regressive. In some ways it’s considered anachronistic because there are other countries that adopt other mechanisms.
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“And there are a number of issues in terms of how we collect the licence fee for pensioners and also issues arising from people’s failure to pay the licence for example, with respect to gender issues, so it is imperfect.”
Campaigners argue women are overwhelmingly prosecuted over non-payment as they are usually at home when enforcers call.
The government is carrying out a review of the Beeb’s funding, including whether a mandatory fee — which has been frozen for two years — is best.
Mr Sharp agreed the BBC must “contribute to that discussion when it arises”.
Rebecca Ryan, of Defund the BBC, said: “It is welcome to hear Richard Sharp admit significant issues with the TV licence.
"People should not be forced to pay, through discriminatory practices, for an organisation out of touch with vast swathes of the country.”