UUP MP tables motion appealing to BBC Northern Ireland not to cut 'Give My Head Peace' comedy show
Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann has tabled a motion in Parliament calling on BBC Northern Ireland to reconsider decision to cancel long-running comedy programmes ‘Give My Head Peace’ and ‘The Blame Game.
His appeal comes as the BBC faces a funding crisis across the UK, with a reported £500 million shortfall, driven in part by fewer people paying the TV licence fee.
The public broadcaster is also looking at major cuts to its services across Northern Ireland, believed to be worth between £4 million and £6million.
The staff redundancies currently under way have been described by insiders as unprecedented.
The News Letter recently revealed that BBC NI is axing its two main comedy shows ‘The Blame Game’ and ‘Give My Head Peace’ as part of the cuts.
Mr Swann said his motion highlights the major contribution the shows, created by the Hole in the Wall Gang, have made to local broadcasting, homegrown talent and Northern Ireland's cultural identity.
Speaking after placing the motion on the parliamentary record, Mr Swann said: "The Hole in the Wall Gang and these iconic shows have been a staple of Northern Ireland's creative landscape for decades and have provided light relief and reflected our unique culture during pivotal times in our history.
"Cancelling these programmes is a major blow to local audiences who hold them in high regard, as well as our creative industries and local comedy writing talent.
"I hope this motion sends a clear message to management at BBC Northern Ireland regarding the public support that exists for these shows, and I urge them to think again about these cuts."
His motion reads: "That this House regrets the decision by BBC Northern Ireland to cancel the long-running and iconic programmes Give My Head Peace and The Blame Game; recognises their contribution to Northern Ireland’s cultural identity, homegrown comedy and creative industries; notes their enduring popularity with audiences; and calls on BBC Northern Ireland to reconsider its decision and reinstate both programmes."
In June BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips sent an email to BBC staff outlined the proposed savings which aim to reduce the corporation’s spend on commissioning by £80 million in the 2027 to 2028 financial year.
It followed director-general Matt Brittin’s announcement that 550 of the planned 1,800 to 2,000 job cuts at the corporation will be taken from BBC News and TV and radio-related roles.
Last week it was revealed that the BBC will close BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra linear broadcast services in spring 2027 as part of cost-cutting measures.
BBC Scotland will remain a channel on iPlayer, but will no longer be a broadcast channel on television.
Also last week, it was reported that the BBC licence fee will be extended to online streaming services such as YouTube and Netflix under new Government plans.
Currently, anyone who uses a television to watch live content must pay the licence fee, even if they do not watch the BBC. The fee rose to £180 on April 1.
Under the proposed changes, the fee would expand to streamers including Amazon and Disney+, which are currently exempt from the licence fee.
The publication reports that the new arrangements have been called the “YouTube tax” because the site is by far the biggest online video platform in the UK.