Some of UK regulator Ofcom’s powers will be curbed by the British government as part of plans to cut unnecessary expense in the public sector.
Several Ofcom duties will be transferred to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), including the…
Some of UK regulator Ofcom’s powers will be curbed by the British government as part of plans to cut unnecessary expense in the public sector.
Several Ofcom duties will be transferred to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), including the responsibility for reviewing media ownership rules every three years.
The regulator’s responsibility for reviewing public service broadcasting every five years will also be transferred to the DCMS.
In addition, the changes will enable Ofcom to charge fees for satellite filings made to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
“These changes will allow us to continue to deliver some of the world’s best culture, media and sport, while at the same time ensuring efficiency, transparency and better value for money for the public,” said Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for the DCMS.
In total, 19 of the 55 public bodies under the responsibility of the DCMS are being abolished or reformed.
The government announced yesterday that Ofcom will merge with postal counterpart Postcomm if a bill being presented to parliament is approved.
The Postal Services Bill will transfer Postcomm’s regulatory responsibility and staff to Ofcom to reduce costs and increase efficiency. It will be debated in the House of Commons in the coming months, before being submitted to the House of Lords.
