Anna Tuckett’s article (Journal, February 20) about the BBC and journalism is spot on. Local newspapers are having a hard time surviving, so finance from the BBC is a godsend.

It’s quite clear to me that the government’s proposal to decriminalise licence fee evasion and subsequently to ‘restructure’ (ie, reduce substantially) the BBC’s funding is simply an act of political vindictiveness. Successive governments of both main parties have lashed out at what they perceive as BBC bias. Recently it has been called the Brussels Broadcasting Corporation, the Brexit Broadcasting Corporation, and many similar epithets. Those with strong opinions just can’t take any form of criticism without shrieking ‘bias!’

In 1968 the BBC licence fee was £10 a year. Put that into the Bank of England’s on-line inflation calculator and you get £174.74 at today’s prices. The current licence fee is £154.50, so actually £20 cheaper in real terms than it was in 1968. And we are a more affluent nation now, as GDP has more than doubled over the last 52 years, so the licence fee is, for most of us, more affordable.

Since 1968 the BBC has also massively increased its output, with a multitude of local radio stations, additional TV channels, and now an excellent repertoire of podcasts. If the Beeb was a limited company, people would be rushing to buy shares.

The BBC commands respect throughout the world, particularly in countries with repressive regimes. It belongs to us, the people, not to the government. We need our local papers and our BBC. Don’t let politicians wreck it in the guise of modernisation.

Alan Jones

Hale