The shoddy move that could become Andy Burnham's 'winter fuel moment'
The shoddy move that could become Andy Burnham's 'winter fuel moment'
Viewers without internet at home could be unable to watch television by 2034, campaigners warn
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Add us as preferred source Comments By Jonathan Walker, Whitehall Editor 06:00, Tue, Jun 23, 2026 
Freeview television services could be switched off in 2034 – leaving those without an internet service at home unable to watch the telly, the Government has confirmed. The measure is included in a government Green Paper setting out plans for the future of TV in Britain.
A consultation will be held on delaying the switch-off until 2044, but the most likely date for the change is 2034, the paper says. Ministers said they aim to ensure every household has access to high-speed broadband for watching favourite TV shows. However, the announcement prompted a furious response from campaigners, who said older people in particular would be left without a vital service.
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Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, urged Andy Burnham to scrap the proposal if he becomes prime minister. Mr Reed said: “It is outrageous that a document of this importance is being slipped out under cover of the Starmer resignation."
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“I privately pleaded with civil servants that taking such an underhand step was inappropriate, but they ignored me. The outgoing Government is obviously seeking to bind Andy Burnham’s team to what will become the last big political blunder of the Starmer era.
“To deprive many millions of older households of the option of viewing their favourite TV programmes without having to pay for an expensive broadband contract will be a political disaster if it is rubber-stamped by Burnham.
“It could even become his winter fuel moment. And as Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, one of Burnham’s big supporters, should be ashamed to put her name to the shoddy manoeuvre of releasing the Green Paper at this stage.”
The Government has already confirmed it backs plans to end digital terrestrial broadcasts such as Freeview, with the whole country switching to television delivered through the internet instead. The Green Paper consultation will decide the date on which this happens.
Culture minister Ian Murray said: “We don’t want anyone to be left behind.”
And he said that ensuring the remaining households without internet access become connected would also allow them to use a wide range of other services.
Other proposals in the Green Paper include ensuring major sporting events and similar national events are available for free on “on demand” services, if they are already guaranteed to be free when broadcast live.
And social media companies such as YouTube will be asked to give greater prominence to trusted news sources, with the threat of legislation if they fail to do so voluntarily. This could mean, for example, that a trusted news source appears at the top of a feed or in search results.
But as well as including TV news broadcasters, trusted news sources could include newspapers which produce video, or dedicated YouTube channels.
Ms Nandy said: “It is vital that we make sure that people have better access to trusted and accurate news and that our regulated public service media is seen and heard in the fierce battle against mis and disinformation.
“As the media landscape moves further and further online away from traditional broadcasting, we must act so that our world-leading TV sector continues to thrive and top-quality UK content keeps being produced.
“TV remains at the heart of our society. It is key to supporting social cohesion and is a cornerstone of our democracy, which is why, as the technology underpinning it changes, we are making sure it is protected for generations to come.”
Vicki Sellick, chief executive at charity the Good Things Foundation, said: “Ensuring that no one is left behind as services move online is at the heart of our mission at Good Things Foundation. We welcome the Government’s commitment to this goal today and its proposals to tackle the growing challenge of mis and disinformation online.
“If TV distribution moves solely online, then every home will need affordable, reliable internet access. Done well, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect the millions of households in the UK who are either not online or digitally confident, and give them the skills to navigate the digital world.
"With the right package of training and support from trusted local providers, millions could access healthcare, banking and essential public services alongside their favourite TV shows.
“Nobody must be left behind in any transition. We look forward to responding to the Government’s consultation with tried and tested solutions from our 4,000-plus partners around the UK on how to make this happen.”
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
