(Telecompaper) The UK Government has announced plans to reform the BBC, including establishing an 11-year Charter to separate it from the political cycle and provide long-term stability and independence. The BCC's current Royal Charter expires at end-2016. The Government has outlined a new framework for the BBC to allow it to focus on high quality, distinctive content which informs, educates and entertains while also serving all audiences. The key reforms include a new mission statement for the corporation and a new unitary board with 12-14 members. The licence fee level will be increased in line with inflation for five years from 2017/2018, and be updated to require all those who consume BBC on-demand content (e.g. on BBC iPlayer) to pay the licence fee. A draft version of the Charter will be published in the coming months, with the new Charter expected to come into force from 01 January 2017.