Prime Minister Keir Starmer has voiced strong support for the BBC amid mounting pressure from political figures to scrap the licence fee. The government rejected criticism from Donald Trump, who accused the broadcaster of bias and threatened legal action, and insisted that the BBC remains a vital national institution. The recent resignations of director-general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness have intensified debate over the corporation's impartiality and future funding model.

Senior opposition leaders, including Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, have called for significant reforms, arguing that the BBC must demonstrate true impartiality to justify continued public funding. Some have proposed shifting the broadcaster to a subscription-based model, while others demand the immediate abolition of the licence fee. Downing Street confirmed that the BBC's funding will be reviewed next year, but stressed the need for a robust, independent news service in an era of widespread disinformation.