THE BBC’S RECIPE section, where many an ill-fated home meal has been born as good intentions, could be axed amid a shakeup of the corporation.

The future of the BBC has been widely debated in the UK for a number of years and a white paper due to be published on Thursday will give its recommendations.

The Telegraph reports that part of the paper’s recommendations include cutting “soft” news and their website’s 11,283 recipes.

UK Culture Secretary John Whittingdale is reportedly considering removing part of the BBC’s remit, which is to develop new technologies. It is argued that both the “soft” news and recipes are unfair on local papers and commercial rivals.

Whittingdale has previously joked that closing the BBC was a “tempting prospect”.

The plan to get rid of the recipes section angered many on Twitter, with many saying that since the articles are already there, getting rid of them makes little sense.

I know this is a small thing but I love BBC recipes. The government wants to ban them to help commercial rivals.But what about public good?
— Sarah Crompton (@Sarahc_k) May 10, 2016

Sarah Crompton / Twitter

The Tories forcing the BBC to cut recipes (which we’ve already paid for) from its website is a great example of how free markets don’t work.
— Dan Rebellato (@DanRebellato) May 10, 2016

Dan Rebellato / Twitter

If you think "it's just recipes, who cares", remember that this principle - it's unfair to commercial rivals - applies to the whole BBC.
— Matt Leys (@mattleys) May 10, 2016

Matt Leys / Twitter

Baftas

Ahead of the report, many winners at Sunday’s TV Bafta awards spoke out about cuts to the BBC.

“It’s not their BBC, it’s your BBC,” Peter Kosminsky – who won an award for directing acclaimed drama Wolf Hall – said.

In many ways our broadcasting, the BBC and also Channel 4 which they’re also trying to eviscerate, is the envy of the world and we should stand up and fight for it.

“It’s a public broadcaster independent of government, not a state broadcaster. All of this is under threat right now.”

Oscar winner Mark Rylance, who won a Bafta for his part in the drama, said that the BBC was “admired around the world”.

Actor James Nesbitt also backed the BBC.

All these films, writers, directors, cast and crew are able to do what they do as well as they do because of the BBC. Do not strip it away.

“Please protect it, let’s cherish it.”

Read: Police apologise for “Allahu Akbar” being shouted at fake terror attack

Read: The Irish economy is haemorrhaging over €2 billion each year due to illicit trade

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More