An MP has called the television licence more aggressive than the poll tax.

Chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee, John Whittingdale, said the fee may change in the future, during a question and answer event held by Bafta at the Princess Anne Theatre, Piccadilly, last month.

He said: “The licence fee is essentially a poll tax on the basis that it’s a flat rate charge and it’s not related to income.

“In comparison with the community charge in the 1980s, in one respect it was actually more aggressive because with the community charge those on the lowest charge were given substantial discount."