The Digester

MPs warn of uncertainty over BBC World Service funding

Mar 13th 2026

A parliamentary committee says uncertainty over short-term government funding and weaknesses in BBC governance are putting the World Service at risk, while the BBC urges the government to restore full funding.

  • House of Commons Public Accounts Committee says it is deeply troubled that the BBC does not know how much the government will fund the World Service next year.
  • The government currently provides about 30% of the World Service budget and the current funding agreement expires at the end of the month with no new deal in place.
  • The committee criticised repeated short-term funding from the FCDO and weaknesses in BBC governance and digital strategy that hamper long-term planning.
  • MPs warned the World Service risks losing trust and ground to state-backed rivals as digital audiences fall.
  • The BBC wants the government to resume full funding while ministers say the next allocation will be made before the new financial year and the FCDO will set three-year grant funding before 2026/27.

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