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Response to DCMS consultation highlights the role of the BBC in driving innovation.

techUK, the voice of the UK tech industry, has called for the BBC to have a remit for supporting the UK tech industry, in a response to the DCMS consultation into the BBC Charter review.

As one of the largest and most innovative public service broadcasters in the world, the BBC is capable of having a significant impact on the UK consumer technology market. Decisions taken by the BBC with regards to technology roadmaps and distribution methods not only have an impact on the cost of devices and services enjoyed by UK consumers, but on the competitiveness and sustainability of the UK technology sector itself. Just as the BBC has a remit to support the UK creative economy, a similar such remit for the tech economy must be included in the new Charter.

Paul Hide, Director of Operations at techUK, commented: "The BBC has played a leading role in the UK and global content creation, broadcast and distribution markets. It's vital that it retains the funding needed to effectively support the UK's thriving tech and media industries."

The key recommendations in the consultation response state that:

• The BBC must remain an independent producer and broadcaster of content and services.
• The BBC should continue to focus on the 6 public purposes under which it currently operates.
• Just as the BBC has a remit to support the UK creative economy, a similar such remit for the tech economy must be included in the new Charter.
• It is important that BBC continues to be funded in a sufficiently stable, secure and transparent way.
• The period of Charter must allow sufficient visibility and security of funding to enable longer term investment planning.

You can download the full consultation response.