TUC backs BBC motion

The TUC has backed unanimously a BECTU motion opposing the proposed privatisation of BBC Resources.

The TUC, at it's Conference in Brighton, voted today (13 September) to support BECTU's motion calling on the government to reject the Licence fee Review Panel's recommendations to sell off parts of the BBC.

The motion was seconded by RMT, the Rail Marine and Transport union. The RMT speaker gave the example of the state of the UK railway network since privatisation as a reason for opposing the Review Panel's recommendations.

The TUC General Council supported the motion, and urged delegates from all the TUC's affiliated unions at the Conference to vote in favour.

The vote of the delegates was unanimous, and is a significant boost to BECTU's campaign to oppose selling off BBC Resources and nearly half of BBC Worldwide.

The motion, Future Funding of the BBC, reads:

Congress notes with concern the reports of the work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Committee chaired by Gavyn Davies on the future funding of the BBC. Congress also notes that when BBC Resources Ltd was set up, assurances were given by the Director General and Board of Governors of the BBC that privatisation was not on the agenda. Congress notes that these assurances were remarkably similar to those now being given about the Post Office.

Congress believes that the privatisation of BBC Resources Ltd would damage beyond repair the BBC's ability to remain the cornerstone of public service broadcasting.

Congress calls upon the Government to be more supportive of all those working in the public service. Congress also calls upon the Government to reject its proposals contained within the Gavyn Davies report which would result in the privatisation of any part of the BBC.

The BBC privatisation proposals are contained in the Licence fee Review Panel report published in August. Public consultation, currently being carried out by the Department of Culture Media and Sports, closes at the end of October.