BBC bosses sparked anger yesterday by demanding inflation-busting annual increases that could see the licence fee soar to £180.

The channel’s chiefs want to hike the fee, currently £126.50, by 2.3 per cent above the inflation rate each year between 2007 and 2013.

But MPs attacked the proposed rises as a “poll tax” on the poor.

The Beeb say the hike is needed to improve quality, cut repeats and develop digital services.

Chairman Michael Grade and director-general Mark Thompson yesterday faced a grilling in Westminster from the culture, media and sport select committee MP Nigel Evans told them they risked creating “licence fee martyrs” - similar to “council tax martyrs” who have gone to jail rather than pay soaring bills.

Read More