Lords Communications Committee to hear evidence from Bectu and creative sector organisations on the future of the BBC

The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee will next week take evidence from Bectu, the trade union representing workers in broadcasting, theatre and entertainment, as well as campaigning organisations and trade bodies active in broadcasting and the arts as part of its work on the BBC Charter renewal process.   

The session will focus on the role the BBC plays in supporting the UK's wider creative economy and what priority that should be given in the new BBC Charter.   

The session will start at 2:15pm on Tuesday 9 June in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords. The full witnesses details are:   

• Philippa Childs, Deputy General Secretary and Head of Bectu, Prospect  

• Jack Gamble, Director, Campaign for the Arts  

• Lisa Opie, Chair, ScreenSkills  

• Ed Shedd, Chair, Create Central   

Issues that will be covered in the session include how well the BBC has fulfilled its role supporting the UK creative economy under the current Charter and the witnesses' views on the proposal in the Government's Green Paper for the BBC to have a new purpose to drive economic growth. Questions may also explore how the BBC can support investment in the creative industries across the whole of the UK and how well the BBC is delivering its obligations to foster a highly skilled media workforce.