Concern over waste at the corporation follows the revelation that it forks out more than £31,000 a day on taxis alone.

Tory MP Conor Burns, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which is set to publish its long-awaited report on the future of the BBC this week, claims the corporation has “failed in its duty to ensure the licence fee is well spent”.

He has written to Culture Secretary Sajid Javid demanding that the BBC “shows its commitment to greater transparency and value for money”.

The report, to be published on Thursday, will make recommendations on the future of the BBC Charter.

Mr Burns says he believes it “will start a debate about what we expect from public service broadcasting in the years to come”. 

He says in his letter: “I trust that as the process of Charter Review moves forward you will put transparency alongside excellence in programming at the very core of our expectations of the BBC.”

The corporation received £3.7billion in licence fees last year but it has been accused of wasting millions. It was revealed yesterday that it spent more than £34.4million on taxis in three years, equivalent to nearly £31,450 a day.

Mr Burns argues that greater transparency would bring this kind of waste to an end.

He writes: “I was encouraged when, in 2010, the BBC Trust agreed that the National Audit Office, which checks the accounts of all government departments, public agencies and a number of other organisations, would have full access to the BBC’s accounts to ensure that it is providing value for money.

“However, the head of the NAO, Sir Amyas Morse, recently reported to Parliament that the BBC often refuses to provide or delays the provision of evidence that would allow the NAO to assess its spending on behalf of taxpayers. 

“I find this unacceptable and I know from my constituents that it damages the level of trust that we, the public, have in the corporation.”

Last night senior Tory MPs lined up to back Mr Burns, including Philip Davies, who also sits on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and who helped write the report.

“I totally agree with this,” Mr Davies said. “If the BBC wants to have the benefits of guaranteed licence fee income every year then that must come with total transparency as to how the money is spent. If they don’t want transparency then they must abandon the licence fee and earn their own money. They can’t have it both ways."


http://goo.gl/HHQZ5c

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DUNDEE

A drink-driving taxi driver ploughed into a Christmas market with a passenger in the back seat, a court heard.

Donald Kennedy, from Brechin, was almost five times the drink-drive limit when he became bewildered by diversions at the town’s highlight of the festive shopping calendar.

The 54-year-old’s taxi drove down the High Street and knocked down a young man who was standing at the “hog roast” stand during the Christmas Spectacular on December 20.

He “did not realise” he had driven into the back of a young male, who was eating takeaway food in the pedestrianised area.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard the accused has since lost his job. He had been experiencing alcohol difficulties at the time.

Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said: “The road was closed due to a yearly Christmas Spectacular that was taking place in the High Street.

“There were 50 stalls in the street on that day, and the complainer was facing away from the street, getting food from a takeaway stall. The accused drives past the stalls before the hitting man.”

Depute Fiscal Hannah Kennedy added: “The accused doesn’t appear to realise that he’s struck the complainer and exits the vehicle.

“Two stewards come over and take his keys — he’s clearly under the influence of alcohol.”

At the time, the Scottish Ambulance Service stated he was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, and police described his injuries as minor.

Fining Kennedy £500 and disqualifying him from driving for two years, visiting Sheriff Vaughan told the accused: “You pled guilty from the outset.

“However there is a fairly high reading on the charge, in relation to the new limit on drink-driving.”

Kennedy, of Park Farm Bungalow, admitted driving carelessly in High Street, striking Jordan Dickson and colliding with traffic cones.

He also admitted driving with excess alcohol (100 mics).

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/angus/drink-driving-taxi-driver-struck-pedestrian-1.841578