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The Prime Minister: "Taxpayers expect the BBC to do the right thing". We do indeed.
From the BBC
It may appear to be a 'fair' decision ("the fairest judgement"), but there's been an almighty backlash. "A ruthless welfare cut", "a scandal".
Watch Channel 4's news report on rural poverty (Bridport and Beaminster). "Families trapped in poverty...Struggling to get by, to make ends meet, living hand-to- mouth on tight budgets...Cuts in bus services..."
On the licence fee (from the 33 minute point); followed by the report on rural poverty in Dorset (from the 36.26 point).
It would be a sad irony if hard-up elderly rural people who didn't pass the means test (cf Hardy's 'Dorsetshire Labourers') simply could not afford to pay the licence fee to allow them to watch Countryfile.
The alternative might be a fine of £1000 and court costs - or even a prison sentence?
The future of television licences for over 75s
A message from the BBC Chairman and Director General:
"We are writing to you today to let you know about some important changes to TV licences for older people. First, we want to explain why these changes need to be made. Since 2000, all households with people over 75 have been entitled to a free TV licence. This has been paid for by the Government, but in 2015 they announced that they would stop paying for it.
As a result, the current government scheme offering free TV licences for over 75s will come to an end next year. Instead, through an Act of Parliament, the Government gave the BBC the power to decide what happens next. Any new scheme would be decided on and funded, not by the Government, but by the BBC.
This means we have had to make a really important and difficult decision.
After June 2020, the cost of continuing with free licences for all over 75s would be £745 million a year and rising - which is around 20% of the BBC’s budget. That is a huge amount of money. Were we to meet these costs, it would in practice mean the closures of BBC Two, BBC Four, the BBC News Channel, the BBC Scotland Channel and Radio 5live – in addition to a number of local radio stations and other cuts and reductions. We know that audiences really value what we provide on TV, Radio and online – all of which are paid for by the licence fee. And these changes would profoundly damage the BBC’s ability to serve our audiences of all ages. On the other hand, we are fully aware that some older pensioners are in poverty and rely on their TV and the BBC for companionship.
We didn’t want simply to abolish free licences for all older pensioners. We didn’t think that would be fair on those who would find it hardest to pay. Nor did we think it right to continue with a scheme that mirrored the Government’s, given the severe impact that would have on BBC services that are valued by everyone - old and young. We have therefore decided to introduce a new scheme. It is one that we believe represents the fairest possible outcome.
From June 2020, anyone aged 75 or over who receives Pension Credit will also be entitled to a free TV licence funded by the BBC. This will help the poorest pensioners who will continue to enjoy a free TV licence. It’s important to stress that it is not the BBC who will make any judgements about poverty – that measure is set and controlled by Government. As well as being fairest for the poorest pensioners, this scheme is also the fairest for all licence fee payers as it means everyone will continue to receive the best programmes and services that the BBC can provide.
This new scheme will cost the BBC around £250 million a year. This will mean we have to continue to find significant savings, but we are confident that we will be able to protect the funding for services the public tell us that they enjoy.
We want to make claiming the free licence simple and straightforward. Individuals will simply need to demonstrate their receipt of Pension Credit in order to qualify. If you’re over 75 and currently get a free licence, you don’t need to do anything yet. You will carry on being able to get a free licence until June 2020. TV Licensing will be in touch before then to tell you what you need to do. If you want to find out about our decision in more detail you can read all our documents here.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email. We have thought long and hard to arrive at the fairest possible decision for everyone. We are committed to ensuring we continue to give you a world-class BBC, not just today, but for tomorrow.
Yours
Sir David Clementi, BBC Chairman
Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC
(First, clean out the Augean stables - but don't pollute the rivers!)
Consider signing the Age UK Petition:
"For over a million of the oldest people in our country, television is their main form of company. Right now, that’s under threat. Sign the Age UK petition to save free TV for older people.
The BBC has announced they plan to means-test TV licences for the over 75s. That means they'll only be free for people receiving Pension Credit. This change will harm millions of older people who rely on their TV. Together, we must demand the Government takes back responsibility for funding free TV licences".
Sign (373,820 signatures, update at 8.20pm, 12 June; 401,505, 6.45am, 13th June - and rising by the hour)
The Mail
Fury at Tories as BBC axes TV licence benefit for 3.7m pensioners, Mirror
"The cruel decision to axe free TV licences for the over-75s will strip thousands of vulnerable, disabled and lonely pensioners of a lifeline, campaigners warned".
Ben Fogle donates his entire salary for this year's Animal Park to pay for pensioners' TV licences, MailOnline
British Bloated Corporation
Piers Morgan slams BBC’s ‘disgusting’ move to scrap free TV licence for over 75s, Metro
Heléna Herklots, CBE, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales: "I strongly disagree with the BBC’s decision to withdraw the free TV licence for older people over 75 who do not receive pension credit, which will impact on thousands of older people throughout Wales".
“Over half of the 260,000 older people in Wales aged 75 or over live alone and, for many, television is their only companion and their primary source of news and entertainment.
“Many thousands of older people in Wales who are entitled to pension credit do not claim it, with around £170 million being returned unclaimed to the treasury each year. Under the proposed changes, these older people will lose further financial assistance that can make a positive difference to their lives.
“Furthermore, we know that relative income poverty amongst older people is increasing, with 1 in 5 older people in Wales now trapped in persistent poverty, and the proposed changes are likely to exacerbate this".
Pressure on BBC and Government to cancel stripping of free TV licences from older people mounting, MailOnline
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