WITH the BBC TV licence fee set to be scrapped in five years, we thought it would be good to ask our readers what they thought.

The annual payment, which normally changes on April 1 each year, is expected to be kept at the current rate of £159 until April 2024, with additional ways of funding being considered by Nadine Dorries.

The culture secretary said the next announcement concerning the BBC’s licence fee “will be the last” as a new funding model is being considered for when the latest deal expires in 2027.

READ: What our MPs think

The general consensus in Bradford is that it should be abolished as technology has moved on and there are now other entertainment providers that outweigh what the broadcaster offers.

"It is so ridiculously out of date, with today's technology and the amount of subscriptions/content you can access" said Tony Crabbe.

"So many people, like me, are having to spend £159 for channels they never use. It has got to go and move onto a subscription method."

"Yes," said David Mosley. "Not good value for money."

Jonathan Barras added: "Yes, I've stood on this issue before and will continue to do so in the future until it is scrapped."

"Scrap it," said Liz Hall. "If you want BBC subscribe or do Pay Per View."

Asim Rashid said: "Yes, especially with everything else going up in price. At least give us some breathing space."

John Robinson thinks the broadcaster should make their money through other means. He said: "Let the BBC show adverts then scrap the TV licence like most other channels."

Clark Corboz agreed, saying: "Out of date and touch. They should earn through advertisement or subscription like many other services."

However, David Harper shares a different view, believing the corporation should stay if it reverted to its former self.

He said: "A publicly funded independent reporting medium (like BBC used to be) is a valuable asset to a democracy."

Ewan Miller also makes a good point about the other things the BBC offer besides TV and radio.

He added: "How many of you turned to BBC Bitesize to get you through lockdown home schooling? That curriculum based learning that was turned around in unbelievably quick time. Public funding does that.

"And just because you insist you don't 'watch bbc programmes' does not mean you don't need a TV licence."

A BBC source told the Sunday Times: “There are very good reasons for investing in what the BBC can do for the British public and the creative industries, and the (profile of the) UK around the world.

"Anything less than inflation would put unacceptable pressure on the BBC finances after years of cuts.”