The broadcaster is seeking a new network of spin doctors, costing the equivalent of 16,000 TV licences

The BBC is spending £2.5 million of licence payers’ money hiring six PR agencies to promote the licence fee and spell out the consequences of non-payment.

The national broadcaster is seeking a new network of external spin doctors — at a cost equivalent to more than 16,000 television licences — even though it already has a devoted press team at TV Licensing, its collection and enforcement arm, in addition to the main BBC press office.

PR agencies across the UK have been invited to bid for the contracts, which start in April 2019. Successful candidates will act as the “face of TV Licensing in their geographical area” and deliver a “strategic programme of TV Licensing communications”, according to the tender documents.

They will be expected