Lisa Nandy is considering forcing Netflix and YouTube users to pay the £180 BBC licence fee under a 'YouTube tax'

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is actively examining proposals to bring streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon and Disney+ within the scope of the BBC's £180-a-year licence fee, with a White Paper anticipated before Christmas. Known informally as the 'YouTube tax', the plans would eliminate the current loophole allowing households to avoid the charge by consuming content on phones and tablets instead of a conventional television. Licence fee payers have dropped by nearly two million over five years, with last year alone seeing 539,000 fewer licences sold. Fairness is said to be the driving force behind the push, with the existing arrangement regarded as 'not fair' given that it permits people to watch television content without paying the fee.

BBC director-general Matt Brittin has said the current licence fee is 'no longer fit for purpose' and wants BBC News available on streaming platforms.

Any additional revenue generated by the proposals is expected to be channelled into reviving local journalism rather than going to the BBC directly.

Charter renewal talks stalled under the previous administration, but the new prime minister has reportedly given the green light for the government to 'press ahead'.