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<p>Please see the table below which sets out Ofcom’s budget for each year during the
current spending review period, including what proportion of that budget was allocated
by HM Treasury. Information in relation to Ofcom’s budget for previous years since
its inception can be found in Ofcom's published accounts, copies of which are lodged
in the House of Commons Library and published on Ofcom's website.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>
</p></td><td><p><strong>2015/16</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016/17</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017/18</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2018/19</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2019/20</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Ofcom
Budget</strong></p></td><td><p>£114.3m</p></td><td><p>£116.6m</p></td><td><p>£121.7m</p></td><td><p>£124.2m</p></td><td><p>£124.2m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Grant-in-Aid</strong></p></td><td><p>£60.2m</p></td><td><p>£74.4m</p></td><td><p>£115.5m*</p></td><td><p>£72.5m</p></td><td><p>£85.8m**</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p> </p><p>The above table provides funding for both Ofcom’s core responsibilities
(including managing the UK spectrum) and 700 MHz clearance programme.</p><p>*The additional
Grant-in-Aid was to cover the costs of managing the UK spectrum, given the significant
infrastructure work taking place across the UK in 2017/18.</p><p>** Figure taken from
the published <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/865499/Supplementary_Estimates_2019-20_-_Web.pdf"
target="_blank">Supply Estimates 2019-20</a>.</p><p> </p><p>In relation to Ofcom’s
responsibility for the regulation of online harms, the Government is carrying out
extensive analysis on potential funding options taking Ofcom’s existing funding model
into consideration. As outlined in the Government’s ‘The Online Harms White Paper
- Initial consultation response’, published on 12 February 2020, ‘The White Paper
makes clear that in order to recoup both the implementation costs and running costs
of the regulator, the government is considering fees, charges or a levy on companies
whose services are in scope. This could fund the full range of the regulator’s activity.
The government intends the new regulator to become cost neutral to the public sector.’
Full details on the funding mechanism for the Online Harms regulatory regime will
be set out in due course.</p><p> </p>
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