UK Culture Minister Questions Effect of Criminal Sanctions On Non-Payors of Annual Licensing Fees

UK Culture Minister  Sajid Javid says he questions whether the current policy of making non-payment of the licensing fee a criminal matter is wise, and he intends to question an investigation into whether it should be changed. He says pursuing non-payors takes up law enforcement and court time that could better be spent elsewhere. The BBC, however, uses such fees to fund its operations and questions whether time spent pursuing those who don’t pay really is that burdensome. The network also points out that the criminal penalty has a deterrent effect. More here from The Guardian.