Committee publication · Correspondence · 26 January 2026
Letter from the Global Director of BBC News relating to the Committee’s evidence session on 08 January 2026 on BBC World Service 2024–25, 21 January 2026
From: Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry: BBC World Service 2024-25
Summary
Letter from BBC News Global Director Fiona Crack to the Public Accounts Committee chair following her evidence session on 8 January 2026 regarding the BBC World Service savings programme. The BBC reports delivering £46.8m of £54.2m targeted savings, with remainder due by March 2026, and submits research showing the BBC World Service drives UK favourability globally while Chinese and Russian state broadcasters gain trust in their regions.
Key findings
- BBC has delivered £46.8m of targeted £54.2m savings, with remaining savings expected by March 2026
- Global Influence and Impact Research 2025 shows BBC is the most trusted international news provider amongst all audiences and most recognised British cultural export (76% of influential audiences globally aware of BBC News)
- BBC World Service users significantly more likely to believe in democratic values and associate UK with free speech and freedom of the press than non-users
- CGTN and RT achieve high trust levels in their respective regions: 71% of CGTN consumers view China favourably; 58% of RT consumers view Russia favourably, with trust increasing over past three years
- Research conducted amongst 23,000 individuals across 18 countries from 7 January to 4 February 2025 shows rising global demand for free media, particularly in Kenya, Indonesia, India and Mexico
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Fiona Crack, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, BBC News, BBC World Service, National Audit Office (NAO), Tapestry (independent research company), CGTN (Chinese state broadcaster), RT (Russian state broadcaster)
Notable line
“Predominantly through the BBC World Service, the BBC is unmatched in driving favourable impressions of the UK and is the most trusted international news provider amongst all audiences.”
Key Quotes
“… we have saved £46.8m of the targeted £54.2m, with the remaining savings expected to be delivered by March”
“… audiences consuming the Chinese state broadcaster, CGTN, and Russian state broadcaster RT, have a direct influence on their country's respective favourability and trust is increasing.”
“The BBC is the most trusted international news provider amongst all audiences .”
“BBC users are significantly more likely to believe in democratic values than non-users and are more likely to participate in democratic processes .”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗