Written question asked by Lord Walney (Crossbench) on Monday, 10 November 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 November 2025. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Monday, 24 November 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

BBC Arabic Service: Development Aid

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria and standards BBC Arabic is subject to for its receipt of (1) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office grant funding, and (2) World2020 programme funding.

Answer: All BBC World Service language services are governed by the standards set in the BBC Charter, the Framework Agreement with HMG, and the World Service licence. The licence states that all BBC World Service output must meet the BBC's editorial standards as set out in the Editorial Guidelines agreed by the BBC Board. As part of the grant funding made to the World Service through the World2025 programme, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office agrees Objectives, Priorities and Targets for the World Service, covering audience reach, quality, impact, and value for money.

Secondary information