In his strategic speech this week, the Director General of the BBC, Tim Davie, launched a suicidal campaign to take on the streaming giants on their territory, and thereby destroy traditional aerial and satellite TV distribution. He called on the Government to produce a national plan to end traditional TV distribution within the next ten years and make access to TV only available to those households with superfast broadband.

Why does this matter so much to Silver Voices? Millions of households, particularly those with older citizens and those on lower incomes, cannot afford the necessary broadband contracts even if they wanted them. And many are not interested in obtaining the streaming channels, being quite happy with their choices of terrestrial broadcast and Freeview channels.

Furthermore, many older people do not possess the necessary digital skills to access and maintain internet-based television. Even by 2040 it is estimated by Leeds University that at least 1.5 million people will not have access to broadband TV. Under the BBC’s plans all these people will lose access to any form of TV, increasing isolation and loneliness.

In his hubris, Tim Davie is seeking to bounce the Government into an early decision to end traditional TV. A National Stakeholder Forum, set up by the Government, has been meeting for the last few months to consider the options for future TV distribution and advise Ministers accordingly. I represent older people on this, and BBC representatives are also involved, but Mr Davie is aiming to marginalise this important work.

The Forum is considering another option to internet only TV, which is upgrading the existing digital terrestrial TV network so that traditional TV can continue to operate alongside streaming services up to 2040 and beyond. This is much the better option in terms of choice and universal access.

Tim Davie will be mistaken if he thinks he can take on Netflix, Amazon, Disney and the rest with their bottomless pockets. A BBC only available through streaming will be squeezed out of existence by the internet giants and we will have lost our secure and reliable public service broadcasting in the process.

Sir Keir Starmer risks “sacrificing” the benefits of Brexit by allowing European bureaucrats to regulate Britain’s gene editing sector. EU negotiators have reportedly demanded that the Government mothball landmark legislation that would, for the first time, pave the way for English farmers to plant crops developed with gene-editing technology.

Instead, the UK would have to wait for the European Union to authorise the technology, which critics say could take up to a decade and leave the UK in the “slow lane” of a multi-billion-pound industry. Tory MP Andrew Griffith said: “Labour is promising this new EU deal will unleash British industry. But if the Government caves to the EU, then our innovative and lucrative gene-editing industry will be lost. We cannot allow European bureaucrats to enforce overbearing regulations on British innovators.

“Gene-editing cannot only deliver economic growth, well-paid jobs, and put the UK at the forefront of a critical new industry, it will also support consumers and farmers. This technology makes crops more resilient to droughts and floods, brings down food prices, and reduces food waste as food’s shelf life increases.

“Brexit was a win for our gene-editing potential, and, in turn, for British farmers, consumers, and innovators. But if the EU gets its way, we will be forced to sacrifice this incredible opportunity.”

Ministers were set to begin authorising the development of the precision-breeding of plants and animals following the passing of the Genetic Technology Act last year.

It would have opened the door for scientists to develop and roll out new crops such as vitamin D-enriched tomatoes and blight- resistant potatoes.

Tory MP Rebecca Smith said: “Labour must put our national interest first, not sacrifice the benefits of Brexit in a desperate attempt to cosy up to the EU. The Government is promising that a closer relationship with the EU will boost economic growth and unleash British industry, and of course there are things that could be improved. But in reality, they risk sacrificing our gene-editing capabilities to appease the anti-growth instincts of Brussels bureaucrats.

“The EU is threatening to hamstring gene-editing with needless red tape, decimating an industry with enormous potential. Gene-editing can not only bring economic growth and unleash Britain’s scientific ingenuity, but it can also provide farmers with more resilient crops to withstand floods and droughts, increase the shelf life of food, and cut the cost of living. The Government must not be allowed to get away with what would be a betrayal of Brexit and the freedoms it brings.”

Kitty Thompson, head of campaigns at the Conservative Environment Network, said: “Gene editing is a win-win for our natural environment and food security. As our yields come under increasing pressure from flooding and drought, this technology can save farmers money, cut food waste and the need for expensive chemicals, and help farm businesses to become more resilient against the impacts of climate change.

“While it is great to see Labour has passed some secondary legislation to harness the liberalised laws passed under the Conservatives, this could all be in vain if it chooses to surrender these Brexit freedoms as part of its negotiations with the EU. The government must stand firm in its commitment to gene-editing.”