BBC director general Tony Hall, on Wednesday, has launched a robust defence of the corporation's programming amid claims that it has strayed from its public service remit, saying it had a duty to inform, educate and entertain.

Lord Hall said: "I believe the BBC should continue to make programs for everyone. A BBC that doesn't inform, educate and entertain is not the BBC the public know and love." "The great majority are happy to pay the licence fee," The BBC director general noted, calling for a "proper public debate about the future of the BBC" before the corporation's royal charter is renewed.

The Annual Report revealed that spend on BBC talent - the corporation's star presenters - increased from ?194m in 2013/14 to ?208m in 2014/15. In 2014 the BBC committed itself to spending no more than 16% on talent and the current figure represents 12.2% of spend on content.

A survey carried out for the Annual Report found 48% of the public supported funding the BBC through the licence fee, compared with 29% for advertising and 20% for subscription.

According to the audience figures in the BBC's annual report, 97% of UK adults used BBC services, BBC One, the main channel, had a reach of 73% and BBC Four, which presents cultural programs, was 13.6%.