Opinion: From our Readers - Support for the BBC is, in fact, increasing

Her central claim seemed to be that the BBC had lost its way, with a marked decline in standards.

Her article took the classic tone of a Private Eye spoof of a mid-market newspaper's yearn for a Werther's Original-type lost age of cricket on the green, Morris dancing and leaving your door open at night. It has to be said her views are simply not shared by the majority of BBC audiences.

This week, the BBC published its annual report, which revealed support for its programmes and services is, in fact, increasing. The proportion of the public who believe that BBC content is original and different is up significantly over the year.

Ms Hamilton-Miller also attempts to make the case that BBC expenses are somehow comparable with the MPs' expenses scandal. There is a clear distinction between MPs expenses and the out-of-pocket business expenses disclosed by the BBC. That distinction is understood by many members of the public.

On expenses and disclosure generally, the measures the BBC announced last month represent a step-change in openness and put the BBC at the very front of the public service in terms of transparency and accountability. I find it difficult to point to any other organisation that has gone further.

Ed Williams, director of communication, BBC