Prime Minister Andy Burnham has admitted he is “concerned” about plans to switch off Freeview TV by 2034, and has indicated he will review the issue. Responding to a question from Conservative MP David Mundell during his first Prime Minister’s Questions this week, Burnham acknowledged the potential impact on elderly people in rural areas who rely on terrestrial television.
Concerns raised over rural and elderly viewers
David Mundell, speaking for the Tories, asked Burnham whether he would review the planned switch-off of terrestrial Freeview TV in 2034. Mundell said the decision would affect a lot of elderly people in rural areas. Burnham, who is also the MP for Makerfield, said he recognised the issue as a genuine concern.
“I am concerned about those plans. I know some of my constituents in Makerfield rely on Freeview,” Burnham told Mundell. “There is perhaps an opportunity to look at this as part of the BBC’s charter renewal process.”
Burnham said he could not give a final answer on the day, but added: “I can’t give [Mundell] a final answer today, but I recognise it’s a genuine issue that he’s raised. I know it will be of concern to his constituents and let me have a proper look at it.” The Prime Minister’s response came during a session that lasted more than three hours, covering a wide range of topics.
First PMQs since becoming Prime Minister
The exchange took place as Burnham delivered his first opening statement to Parliament since becoming Prime Minister more than six weeks ago. In a confident and relatively non-partisan address, Burnham declared that his government can make “this next decade better than the last”. He then took questions from MPs for over three hours.
Burnham said: “When I stood outside Downing Street six weeks ago, I said Britain needs a circuit breaker after a decade of turbulence, negativity, point scoring and divisive politics.” He described his outlined approach as “a clear, coherent, and credible approach to growth that can unlock a feeling of positivity and possibility in every postcode in Britain.”
Government priorities and next steps
The Prime Minister called on MPs to take a “place first rather than party first approach” to make the government’s plans real. He said: “It starts with reasserting basic standards for Britain, that this is a country where no one sleeps rough and no community is blighted by an illegal waste tip.”
Burnham added: “And from there, working together to build a new sense of optimism around the country. We can make this next decade better than the last. We can lift the prospects of all our people and places.” The review of the Freeview switch-off will now be considered as part of the BBC charter renewal process, with Burnham promising to take a proper look at the issue raised by Mundell.
