Article for The Times on the BBC License Fee
The BBC licence fee is still the best option — for now. This year the BBC celebrates its centenary. With the majority of its funding from a compulsory TV licence, the corporation has grown steadily so that it is now a £5 billion organisation employing 22,000 people and broadcasting eight national TV channels, more than […]
BBC Funding
Mr John Whittingdale(Maldon) (Con) My right hon. Friend will be aware that, last year, the number of TV licences purchased fell by 700,000, and that more and more young people are now saying that they do not need to watch the BBC because of the enormous amount of choice through the streaming services. Does she […]
John Whittingdale appointed Leader of the Delegation for the UK.
John Whittingdale MP has been appointed as a full representative of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The Parliamentary Assembly is a branch of the OSCE, that facilitates discussion and cooperation between member state parliaments, on OSCE related work such as international security and […]
BBC funding debate
John Whittingdale stood in Parliament today, in the BBC funding debate to question the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nadine Dorries, about the future funding model of the BBC. This follows the statement made by the Government, announcing that the TV license fee is being frozen for the next two years, […]
Nuclear Energy Bill, Bradwell B Nuclear Power Station.
I stood in Parliament yesterday to speak about my support for the possibility of building a new nuclear power station in Bradwell on Sea, in my constituency. I remain a strong supporter of nuclear power, and the fact that Bradwell successfully hosted a nuclear power station for 40 years—Bradwell A—from which I saw the benefits […]
Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill
Mr John Whittingdale(Maldon) (Con) I do not want to detain the House for too long. However, I want to say a few words as the Member of Parliament for Maldon, which contains Bradwell-on-Sea. Bradwell had been the home of a nuclear power station since the early 1960s, and it safely generated power for nearly 40 […]
Speech on Russia’s Grand Strategy
On the 6th January I made a speech in Parliament, on Russia’s Grand Strategy, and the suppression of human rights under the Putin regime. I talk about the suppression of media freedom, as well as the strategy towards Russia’s neighbours – in particular, Ukraine. I have made it clear to the Government that we need […]
December update
I hope all of my constituents had a Happy Christmas and New Year. I know for many, this past year was difficult in many ways. However, I hope that the continuation of our remarkable vaccination programme, with a particular focus on booster jabs- will see us out of this pandemic for good. I hope that […]
Russia’s grand strategy
Mr John Whittingdale(Maldon) (Con) I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex (Sir Bernard Jenkin) on obtaining this timely debate on this extremely important subject. I want to start by making it clear, as one or two others have done, that we have no quarrel with the Russian people. Indeed, we […]
Russia
Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con) My right hon. Friend has talked about massive consequences, including co-ordinated sanctions, should there be further Russian military incursions into Ukraine. Will she listen to the call of the Ukrainian ambassador that the behaviour of Russia, which she outlined in her statement, merits taking further measures now? Will she consider […]